A 36-year-old man, identified as Jonathan Jones, is facing charges after a series of destructive incidents in Manhattan early Saturday morning. The rampage began at Uncle Jack’s Steakhouse on 9th Avenue, continued to a nearby hotel, and concluded at a 7-Eleven.
Valentine’s Day Vandalism
The incident at Uncle Jack’s Steakhouse caused significant damage, including the destruction of custom-made doors. According to restaurant General Manager Muhammed Yaseen, “I thought he kicked it in, but this was more damage than anything we anticipated.” The steakhouse was forced to board up the broken windows but remained open for Valentine’s Day reservations, despite the disruption.
Jones allegedly broke into the restaurant around 2:30 a.m., using a barrier from outside as a weapon. Once inside, he shattered bottles of tequila, wine, and Chivas Regal Scotch after throwing the gin bottle at the bar, causing an estimated tens of thousands of dollars in damage. Yaseen noted, “No one got hurt, thank god, that’s a good thing, no one was hurt.”
Following the incident at the steakhouse, Jones allegedly punched an employee at a hotel on 8th Avenue near West 28th Street and stole a fire extinguisher. He then discharged the extinguisher inside a nearby 7-Eleven.
Police arrested Jones, and he is facing charges including burglary and robbery. The staff at Uncle Jack’s spent hours cleaning up the mess, impacting their ability to fully prepare for the busy Valentine’s Day service, as Yaseen explained, “It kind of distracted us from the real job we wanted to do – get the kitchen ready, get the staff ready.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of damage occurred at Uncle Jack’s Steakhouse?
The suspect destroyed custom-made doors and shattered bottles of alcohol at the bar, causing tens of thousands of dollars in damage.
What happened after the incident at the steakhouse?
Jones allegedly assaulted an employee at a hotel and discharged a fire extinguisher in a 7-Eleven.
Was anyone injured during the incidents?
According to Muhammed Yaseen, no one was hurt during the incident at Uncle Jack’s Steakhouse.
As Jones faces charges, it remains to be seen what legal proceedings will follow and what factors may be considered in his case.
