Man on Violent Rampage Hits Midtown Businesses

36-year-old Jonathan Jones faces charges after destructive incidents at steakhouse, hotel, and 7-Eleven

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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A 36-year-old man named Jonathan Jones is facing charges after a series of destructive incidents in Manhattan's Midtown neighborhood early Saturday morning. The rampage began at Uncle Jack's Steakhouse, where Jones allegedly caused significant damage, including destroying custom-made doors and shattering bottles of alcohol. He then allegedly assaulted an employee at a nearby hotel and discharged a fire extinguisher inside a 7-Eleven.

Why it matters

Acts of vandalism and property destruction, especially those involving multiple locations, can have a broader impact on the community by disrupting businesses and creating a sense of insecurity. This incident highlights the complex factors that may underlie such behavior and the challenges communities face in addressing them.

The details

According to police, Jones began his rampage around 2:30 a.m. at Uncle Jack's Steakhouse on 9th Avenue. He allegedly used a barrier from outside the restaurant as a weapon to break into the establishment, where he proceeded to shatter bottles of tequila, wine, and Chivas Regal Scotch, causing an estimated tens of thousands of dollars in damage. After the incident at the steakhouse, Jones is said to have punched an employee at a hotel on 8th Avenue near West 28th Street and stolen a fire extinguisher, which he then discharged inside a nearby 7-Eleven.

  • The incident at Uncle Jack's Steakhouse occurred around 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 15, 2026.
  • Jones allegedly assaulted a hotel employee and discharged a fire extinguisher at a 7-Eleven following the incident at the steakhouse.

The players

Jonathan Jones

A 36-year-old man who is facing charges for a series of destructive incidents in Manhattan's Midtown neighborhood.

Uncle Jack's Steakhouse

A Midtown steakhouse that was the site of significant damage, including the destruction of custom-made doors and the shattering of bottles of alcohol.

Muhammed Yaseen

The general manager of Uncle Jack's Steakhouse, who reported that no one was hurt during the incident at the restaurant.

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What they’re saying

“I thought he kicked it in, but this was more damage than anything we anticipated.”

— Muhammed Yaseen, General Manager, Uncle Jack's Steakhouse (newsy-today.com)

“No one got hurt, thank god, that's a good thing, no one was hurt.”

— Muhammed Yaseen, General Manager, Uncle Jack's Steakhouse (newsy-today.com)

“It kind of distracted us from the real job we wanted to do – get the kitchen ready, get the staff ready.”

— Muhammed Yaseen, General Manager, Uncle Jack's Steakhouse (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

Police have arrested Jonathan Jones and he is facing charges including burglary and robbery. The legal proceedings will determine the outcome of the case and any potential factors that may have contributed to his actions.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the disruptive impact that acts of vandalism and property destruction can have on businesses and communities. While the immediate consequences involve damage and potential harm, the broader implications include a sense of insecurity and the need for communities to address the underlying factors that may drive such behavior.