NYC woman facing hate crime charges for setting fire to Pride flag outside venue

Homophobic arsonist found, named and charged. 

The woman behind the arson of a Pride flag hung outside Little Prince bistro in NYC is facing hate crime charges.

Angelina Cando, 30, was arrested Tuesday and charged with arson and reckless endangerment, along with criminal mischief for writing ‘Jesus is King’ on the back of two NYPD squad cars  – all as hate crimes.

 

The restaurant’s surveillance captured a white SUV arriving outside the venue at 1.30am on February 20, along with a woman, later identified as Angelina Cando, who got out and set the storefront’s Pride flag ablaze using a lighter.

Cando could then be seen jumping back into the passenger side of the car, which then speeds away.

It’s unclear whether the driver of the vehicle will also face charges.

 

The fire led to a temporary evacuation of the apartments above the Prince Street restaurant. Fortunately, the venue was closed at the time and no one was injured by the fire, police confirmed.

“Can’t imagine someone would have that much hate to do something like this,” restaurant customer Charlotte Wynn told ABC7. “Especially not knowing if it could physically hurt someone as well.”

The restaurant owner said an employee was inside the restaurant at the time of the incident and quickly called 911.

“To be a part of it, and to witness it, and to work here and to have that happen, like this is my job,” the employee said. “This is where I make money and this is also where I have a home. So to have that taken away, I’m confused and I’m hurt, and I don’t know how to feel about it.”

 

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