According to authorities, the man allegedly responsible for setting fire to the Fox News All America Christmas tree in New York City is out on the lam. Craig Tamanaha, 49, was released without bail after alleging setting fire to the 50-foot tree but has now failed to comply with the conditions of his release.
Christmas tree set on fire outside Fox News; man arrested: NYPD – WBTW https://t.co/WPCLviEjDL
— NYPD bot (@NYPDbot) January 3, 2022
Fox News reports:
He allegedly set the red, white and blue artificial tree ablaze Dec. 8 after “thinking about lighting the tree on fire all day,” according to a criminal complaint.
Tamanaha was arraigned on one count each of felony second-degree criminal mischief, misdemeanor second-degree reckless endangerment and misdemeanor fifth-degree arson.
Judge Martinez Alonso ordered Tamanaha to regularly check in with a supervised release program but could not set bail. Criminal justice reforms enacted in 2020 bar the setting of bail on these charges.
But Tamanaha didn’t check in with the supervised release program as required, officials said.
Tamanaha reportedly caused $500,000 in damages.