Fan arrested outside Madonna's NY home

A retired New York City firefighter yearning to meet Madonna has been accused of scrawling messages of adoration on the sidewalk outside her apartment building and possessing a 19cm ice pick.

Robert Linhart is charged with graffiti and criminal possession of an ice pick recovered from his car. He's also charged with resisting arrest outside the building near Central Park.

The grizzled 59-year-old was arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court. A judge set his bail at $20,000 cash.

Defense lawyer Cheryl Bader tells the Daily News there was "no threatening conduct" and it's "not a crime to adore Madonna," the singer of pop hits including Like a Virgin and Material Girl.

Police say Linhart was arrested while spray-painting messages to the singer and asking to meet her.

The fire department says Linhart retired in 1998.