Woman’s boots set on fire by two men after she refused kiss in Manhattan
Feb 25, 2026
A woman’s boots were destroyed after two men — including one wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat — lit them on fire while spewing racist remarks after she refused to kiss one of them in Manhattan, cops said Wednesday.
Police released surveillance images of the two suspects and are ask
ing for the public’s help tracking them down.
The 54-year-old victim was approached by the suspects, who struck up a conversation with her on W. 26th St and Seventh Ave. in Chelsea around 2:50 p.m. on Feb. 19, cops said.
Cops are hunting these two men wanted for setting a woman's boots on fire on Feb. 19 after she refused to kiss one of them in Manhattan. (NYPD)
As they were talking, one of the men leaned in for a kiss and the woman shoved him away, leading the suspect to make anti-black statements, according to law enforcement.
The woman was attempting to leave when the men stopped her and then took out a lighter, which they used to set her boots ablaze, said police.
The victim was uninjured by the arson, but her $89 boots were destroyed, cops said.
The arson is being investigated by the NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.
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