Two Men Arrested in Manhattan Hate Crime After Woman’s Boots Set on Fire Near West 26th Street and 7th Avenue

MAGA Hat Wearing, Racist Swearing Attacker Tried to Set Victim’s Boots on Fire

By Staff Reporter

Manhattan Voice

February 26, 2026

NEW YORK, NY - A pair of would-be influencers were arrested after they filmed themselves allegedly committing hate crimes on camera. The MAGA hat wearing suspect is said to have hurled racist remarks at woman after he tried to kiss her. Cops said he then tried to set the woman’s boots on fire with her in them.

The incident, now under investigation by the New York City Police Department Hate Crime Task Force, happened on February 19, 2026, at approximately 2:50 p.m. in what authorities are describing as a racially motivated attack in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan.

Police say the 54-year-old female victim was approached by two men while walking in the area. What began as an unwanted interaction quickly escalated into what investigators are calling a bias-motivated assault and arson incident in Manhattan.

According to investigators, one of the men struck up a conversation and then leaned in to kiss the woman. When she pushed him away, police say he responded by making anti-Black statements toward her.

As the victim attempted to leave, both men allegedly blocked her path in what prosecutors describe as menacing and aggravated harassment during a Manhattan hate crime incident.

That’s when, police say, one of the suspects pulled out a lighter and set the woman’s boots on fire — an act now charged as arson connected to a hate crime in New York City.

The victim managed to flee the scene. Fortunately, authorities report there were no physical injuries, though the boots were damaged, with property loss estimated at approximately $89 in what investigators classify as criminal mischief involving property damage during a hate crime.

Following an investigation, officers arrested two men in the confines of the 10th Precinct at approximately 2:05 a.m. on February 26, 2026, in connection with the Chelsea Manhattan hate crime investigation involving arson and attempted assault.

Michael A. Santiago, a 31-year-old male from East 94 Street in New York City, has been charged with:

• Attempted Assault – Hate Crime

• Criminal Mischief – Hate Crime

• Aggravated Harassment (three counts)

• Attempted Assault

• Menacing – Hate Crime

• Criminal Mischief

• Arson

• Menacing

• Criminal Tampering

Prosecutors allege his actions constitute attempted assault and arson as part of a racially motivated hate crime in Manhattan.

Michael James, a 33-year-old male, also of East 94 Street in New York City, faces identical charges tied to what authorities describe as a New York City hate crime involving anti-Black statements and arson:

• Attempted Assault – Hate Crime

• Criminal Mischief – Hate Crime

• Aggravated Harassment (three counts)

• Attempted Assault

• Menacing – Hate Crime

• Criminal Mischief

• Arson

• Menacing

• Criminal Tampering

Both men were taken into custody without further incident, police said.

The case is being handled by the NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force, which investigates bias-motivated crimes across the five boroughs, including racially motivated violent incidents in Manhattan neighborhoods.

Authorities have not indicated whether additional charges are possible. The investigation into the West 26th Street and 7th Avenue hate crime involving arson and aggravated harassment remains ongoing.

Incidents involving racially motivated harassment and arson in Chelsea Manhattan are rare but deeply troubling for residents and local business owners.

While the victim did not suffer physical injuries, law enforcement officials emphasize that hate crimes involving attempted assault, menacing, and criminal mischief in New York City are prosecuted aggressively.