Tag:

Arson

$1.3M Insurance Fraud Scheme: Yonkers Man Accused Of Plotting His Own House Fire, DA Says $1.3M Insurance Fraud Scheme: Yonkers Man Accused Of Plotting His Own House Fire, DA Says
$1.3M Insurance Fraud Scheme: Yonkers Man Accused Of Plotting His Own House Fire, DA Says A Westchester man is facing charges for allegedly orchestrating an arson scheme to burn down his home and claim over $1.3 million in insurance money, officials announced. Yonkers resident Majid Haddad, also known as Peter Haddad, age 59, was arrested on Tuesday, Dec. 17, by Yonkers Police and arraigned Wednesday, Dec. 18, on a six-count indictment, Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah said.  According to Rocah, Haddad allegedly conspired with a man to set fire to his single-family home on Odell Avenue in Yonkers between Feb. 20 and Feb. 28, 2021. Investigators said Haddad …
120 Accuse Westchester's Sean Combs Of Sex Abuse In New Class Action Lawsuit: Report 120 Accuse Westchester's Sean Combs Of Sex Abuse In New Class Action Lawsuit: Report
120 Accuse Westchester's Sean Combs Of Sex Abuse In New Class Action Lawsuit: Report The legal troubles faced by Sean "Diddy" Combs, a New York native, are far from over, as the hip-hop mogul is facing allegations of sexual assault from over 100 new accusers, according to a report by NBC News.  Texas-based attorney Tony Buzbee announced on Tuesday, Oct. 1 that he is currently representing 120 people with various allegations against Combs occurring over two decades, NBC reported.  These accusations against Combs, a New York City native who grew up in Westchester County's Mount Vernon, include sexual assault or rape; facilitated sex with a controlled substance;…
Man, Teen Accused Of Killing, Dismembering Victim, Burning Body In Shopping Cart In Westchester Man, Teen Accused Of Killing, Dismembering Victim, Burning Body In Shopping Cart In Westchester
Man, Teen Accused Of Killing, Dismembering Victim, Burning Body In Shopping Cart In Westchester A 40-year-old man and a teenager were apprehended in connection with the murder of a victim whose body was found burning in a shopping cart near a bridge in Westchester, officials announced.  Bronx residents Muhammad Aadil and 18-year-old Ronei Harris were indicted in connection with the murder of 46-year-old Lutalo Henderson, whose body was found dismembered and burned near the border of Yonkers and Mount Vernon on Monday, Aug. 5, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark announced on Wednesday, Sept. 25.  Earlier Report - New Update: Persons Of Interest ID'd After Body Fou…
Man Kills Stepfather, Burns Down Mom's Apartment In Westchester: Here's His Sentence Man Kills Stepfather, Burns Down Mom's Apartment In Westchester: Here's His Sentence
Man Kills Stepfather, Burns Down Mom's Apartment In Westchester: Here's His Sentence A 32-year-old man will spend decades in prison after stabbing his stepfather to death and barricading himself in his mother's Northern Westchester apartment, officials announced.  Peekskill resident Shane Gilleo was sentenced to 30 years to life in state prison for the 2022 murder of his stepfather, Edward Reeves, and setting fire to his mother's apartment later in the day, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office announced on Tuesday, Sept. 24.  According to the DA's Office, at around 12:30 a.m. on Sept. 14, 2022, Gilleo stabbed the 48-year-old Reeves seven tim…
Westchester's Sean 'Diddy' Combs On Suicide Watch Before Sex Trafficking Trial: Report Westchester's Sean 'Diddy' Combs On Suicide Watch Before Sex Trafficking Trial: Report
Westchester's Sean 'Diddy' Combs On Suicide Watch Before Sex Trafficking Trial: Report Days after being federally charged with sex trafficking and racketeering offenses, hip-hop producer and New York native Sean "Diddy" Combs is on suicide watch as he waits for his trial in prison, according to a report by People.  Following his arrest, the 54-year-old New York City native who grew up in Westchester County in Mount Vernon was remanded to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn on Tuesday, Sept. 17, where he has been placed on suicide watch, according to People.  The outlet reported that it is not known if Combs is suicidal or how exactly how long he …
Westchester's  Sean 'Diddy' Combs Now Facing Sex Trafficking, Racketeering Charges: Feds Westchester's  Sean 'Diddy' Combs Now Facing Sex Trafficking, Racketeering Charges: Feds
Westchester's Sean 'Diddy' Combs Now Facing Sex Trafficking, Racketeering Charges: Feds Following several lawsuits accusing him of sexual assault and other abuses, successful hip-hop producer and New York native Sean "Diddy" Combs now faces federal sex trafficking charges, officials announced.  Combs, a 54-year-old New York City native who grew up in Westchester County in Mount Vernon, was arrested on Tuesday morning, Sept. 17 on a three-count indictment, according to the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.  According to federal officials, beginning as far back as 2008, Combs ran a criminal enterprise that involved sex trafficking, forced…
Man Nabbed After Starting Several Fires Around City In Westchester, Police Say Man Nabbed After Starting Several Fires Around City In Westchester, Police Say
Man Nabbed After Starting Several Fires Around City In Westchester, Police Say A 34-year-old man faces a felony arson charge after allegedly starting multiple fires across a city in Westchester, damaging a car in the process, police announced.  Yonkers resident Edwin Polanco was arrested on Monday, June 3, following several incidents that began around 1 a.m., Yonkers Police announced on Tuesday, June 4.  According to the department, Polanco allegedly set several piles of garbage on fire at that time, damaging a vehicle parked next to trash cans in one of the locations.  Soon after the fires were set, officers and detectives found Polanco and …
Man Sets Westchester Apartment On Fire With Resident Still Inside: Here's His Sentence Man Sets Westchester Apartment On Fire With Resident Still Inside: Here's His Sentence
Man Sets Westchester Apartment On Fire With Resident Still Inside: Here's His Sentence A 51-year-old man will spend more than a decade in prison for lighting a Westchester apartment on fire while its resident was sleeping inside, officials announced.  Yonkers resident Angel Rivera was sentenced to 12 years in state prison for setting a Yonkers apartment on fire with a resident inside in June 2021, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office announced on Thursday, May 23.  According to the DA's Office, on June 7, 2021, around 2 a.m., Rivera walked up to a Yonkers residential building on Elm Street, lit an object on fire, and threw it through the open …
Man Sets Fire To Hudson Valley Home Of Trooper's Father After Getting Traffic Tickets: DA Man Sets Fire To Hudson Valley Home Of Trooper's Father After Getting Traffic Tickets: DA
Man Sets Fire To Hudson Valley Home Of Trooper's Father After Getting Traffic Tickets: DA A 26-year-old has been accused of setting fire to the Hudson Valley home of a state trooper’s father after being issued traffic tickets. According to Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler, the man, Tyler Williams, was pulled over and issued traffic tickets by a trooper while driving in Middletown on the evening of Dec. 20, 2023.  Early the next morning, a fire was started at the home of the trooper’s father in Warwick.  After a five-month investigation and the execution of over 20 judicially-authorized search warrants, largely focused on digital forensics, as well as n…
Woman Nabbed After Pouring Gas On Cafe, Lighting It On Fire In Westchester: Police Woman Nabbed After Pouring Gas On Cafe, Lighting It On Fire In Westchester: Police
Woman Nabbed After Pouring Gas On Cafe, Lighting It On Fire In Westchester: Police A 32-year-old woman faces arson charges after pouring gasoline on the walls of a cafe in Westchester and lighting a fire following a dispute with the business's staff, police announced. The incident leading to the woman's arrest happened on Tuesday, Dec. 12 just after 12:45 a.m., when staff at the Drake Cafe & Bar at 1 Drake Ave. in New Rochelle reported an arson incident to New Rochelle Police, the department said. According to authorities, the bar owner said an argument between staff and the suspect, 32-year-old Bronx resident Freissy Batista-Pereya, had happened earlier in the n…
Man Kills Romantic Rival From Westchester, Burns His Body: Sentenced To Decades In Prison Man Kills Romantic Rival From Westchester, Burns His Body: Sentenced To Decades In Prison
Man Kills Romantic Rival From Westchester, Burns His Body: Sentenced To Decades In Prison A man will spend decades in prison after fatally shooting a victim from Westchester and attempting to hide the evidence by burning their body in an apartment building basement, officials said. Brooklyn resident Derek Whitaker, age 58, was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the March 2020 murder of Mount Vernon resident Jonathan Blake, the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office announced on Wednesday, Aug. 16.  According to the DA's Office, during the early morning hours on the day of the murder, March 13, 2020, Whitaker ambushed Blake on North Broadway (Route 9) in…
New Update: Car Arson Suspect Caught With Armor Piercing Bullets In Westchester, Police Say New Update: Car Arson Suspect Caught With Armor Piercing Bullets In Westchester, Police Say
New Update: Car Arson Suspect Caught With Armor Piercing Bullets In Westchester, Police Say A lengthy investigation has resulted in the arrest of a 30-year-old man who allegedly set numerous vehicles on fire in Westchester, police said.  On Thursday night, July 13, 30-year-old Fredy Hernandez-Paz was arrested on arson charges by Port Chester Police in connection with several incidents that happened in June and July, according to the department.  According to police, Hernandez-Paz was involved in early morning vehicle arson incidents that happened on both Sunday morning, June 11 around 4 a.m. in the area of Spring Street, and Saturday, July 8 arou…
Teen Fatally Shot: Suspect Tried To Escape On Plane To Jamaica, Westchester DA Says Teen Fatally Shot: Suspect Tried To Escape On Plane To Jamaica, Westchester DA Says
Teen Fatally Shot: Suspect Tried To Escape On Plane To Jamaica, Westchester DA Says A man who allegedly fatally shot an 18-year-old in Westchester tried to escape justice by lighting his car on fire and attempting to board a plane to Jamaica, officials said.  Mount Vernon resident Akeem Grant, age 33, was arraigned in Westchester County Court on Thursday, May 18 on an indictment charging him with the murder of 18-year-old Tamani Turner in Mount Vernon, according to Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah.  Earlier Report - Murder Of Teen In Mount Vernon: 33-Year-Old Suspect Apprehended According to the District Attorney's Office, on Thursday,…
Hudson Valley Restaurateur Sentenced For Burning Down Eatery, Endangering Others Hudson Valley Restaurateur Sentenced For Burning Down Eatery, Endangering Others
Hudson Valley Restaurateur Sentenced For Burning Down Eatery, Endangering Others A former Hudson Valley restaurateur has been sentenced to prison for intentionally burning down his restaurant and endangering the lives of his wife and first responders. Orange County resident Zef Gjurashaj, age 60, of Newburgh, was sentenced Wednesday, March 1. Gjurashaj, who was convicted by a jury in September 2022, was sentenced to 22 years to life in prison for burning down Andiamo’s Restaurant, which was located at 5025 Route 9W, in the Town of Newburgh in 2017, the Orange County DA's Office said. Prior to the trial, Gjurashaj’s co-defendant and the wife of his nephew…
Westchester County Man Charged With Killing Stepfather, Lighting Relative's Home On Fire: DA Westchester County Man Charged With Killing Stepfather, Lighting Relative's Home On Fire: DA
Westchester County Man Charged With Killing Stepfather, Lighting Relative's Home On Fire: DA A man from Northern Westchester is charged with fatally stabbing his stepfather before lighting a relative's home on fire.  On Wednesday, Sept. 14, around 12:30 a.m., 30-year-old Shane Gilleo of Peekskill is accused of stabbing 48-year-old Edward Reeves numerous times with a knife at a residence in Peekskill on North James Street, according to a release by Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah on Thursday, Nov. 10. Reeves was taken to Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, where he later died, Rocah said.  Later that day, around 11:20 a.m., Gilleo is charge…
Police Pursue 'Persons Of Interest' After Fire Set At School In Hudson Valley Police Pursue 'Persons Of Interest' After Fire Set At School In Hudson Valley
Police Pursue 'Persons Of Interest' After Fire Set At School In Hudson Valley Police in the Hudson Valley are asking the public for. help to identify three men who were seen leaving the area of a school moments before a fire was set. The incident took place in Putnam County on Monday, Oct. 10, at the Garden Street School in the village of Brewster. According to the Brewster Police, at this time the three men are just "persons of interest," not suspects. In addition, there were two other teenage boys that were seen by witnesses leaving the school as smoke was coming out of the second-floor windows, police said. The two were seen coming out of the east side of the bu…
Owner Convicted Of Setting Fire That Destroyed Restaurant In Case Involving Westchester Woman Owner Convicted Of Setting Fire That Destroyed Restaurant In Case Involving Westchester Woman
Owner Convicted Of Setting Fire That Destroyed Restaurant In Case Involving Westchester Woman A Hudson Valley restaurant owner faces years in prison after being found guilty by a jury of setting fire to his restaurant. Zef Gjurashaj, age 60, was found guilty on Monday, Sept. 26 by a jury on all counts including arson, reckless endangerment, and insurance fraud, among others, for setting fire to Andiamo’s Restaurant in the town of Newburgh, said Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler Prior to the trial, Gjurashaj’s co-defendant, Marina Gjurashaj, age 38, of Yonkers, who is the wife of his nephew, pled guilty for her role in setting the fire. As part of her plea agree…
Westchester Murder Suspect Who Set Fire To Avoid Capture ID'd, Charged, Police Say Westchester Murder Suspect Who Set Fire To Avoid Capture ID'd, Charged, Police Say
Westchester Murder Suspect Who Set Fire To Avoid Capture ID'd, Charged, Police Say Police have identified a Northern Westchester man who has been apprehended after allegedly setting fire to a home in order to avoid being captured following the stabbing death of another man. Peekskill resident Shane Gilleo, age 30, was arrested on Wednesday, Sept. 14, and charged with murder and arson, said Det. Lt. Jack Galusha, of the Peekskill Police. The incident unfolded around 12:30 p.m., Wednesday when police responded to a call of a person stabbed in front of 7 N. James St., in Peekskill. Upon arrival, officers discovered 48-year-old Edward Reeves had suffered multiple stab wounds…
Westchester Murder Suspect Sets Fire To Building To Avoid Capture, Police Say Westchester Murder Suspect Sets Fire To Building To Avoid Capture, Police Say
Westchester Murder Suspect Sets Fire To Building To Avoid Capture, Police Say A Northern Westchester man who allegedly stabbed another man to death set fire to a building to avoid capture, police said. The incident began in Peekskill around 12:30 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 14 on North James Street. According to Peekskill Police Chief Leo Dylewski, officers responded to the home for a report of an individual suffering from a stab wound. Upon arrival, officers located the victim, 48-year-old Edward Reeves, of Peekskill, the chief said. Reeves had suffered multiple stab wounds and was immediately given medical aid by officers before being transported to Westches…
Hudson Valley Woman Accused Of Setting House On Fire Hudson Valley Woman Accused Of Setting House On Fire
Hudson Valley Woman Accused Of Setting House On Fire A Hudson Valley woman has been arrested for allegedly setting a house on fire that displaced a family. The Rockland County incident took place on Wednesday at a home in the village of Airmont. The fire was quickly extinguished by Tallman Fire Department with mutual aid from firefighters from: Hillcrest Monsey Sloatsburg Spring Valley Mahwah  No one was injured during the fire, which is believed to have been started intentionally, said Det. Sgt. Michael Higgins of the Rampo Police. Following an investigation by Ramapo detectives and the Rockland County Sheriff's Arson Investigation U…
23-Year-Old Accused Of Starting Fire That Damaged Hudson Valley Home 23-Year-Old Accused Of Starting Fire That Damaged Hudson Valley Home
23-Year-Old Accused Of Starting Fire That Damaged Hudson Valley Home A 911 call about a fire burning at a Hudson Valley home ended with a 23-year-old man behind bars for arson. In Ulster County, emergency crews in Saugerties were called at around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24, with reports of a fire burning in the backyard of a home near the Glasco Turnpike and Town Road. When police and firefighters arrived, they found an uncontrolled fire burning approximately 20 to 30 feet away from the side of a house, Saugerties Police said. Flames grew so intense that the home’s siding had begun to melt. The suspect, Nicholas Mitchell, told investigators that he had s…
Know Him? Arson Suspect At Large After Lighting Garbage Bins On Fire In Westchester Know Him? Arson Suspect At Large After Lighting Garbage Bins On Fire In Westchester
Know Him? Arson Suspect At Large After Lighting Garbage Bins On Fire In Westchester An alert has been issued by police investigators in Westchester as they seek the public's assistance in identifying and locating a suspect who is wanted for arson. The Port Chester Police Department released a photo of the suspect, who was caught on camera before intentionally lighting a pair of the village’s plastic garbage bins on fire. Police said the alleged incident happened shortly after 4:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 8 on East Broadway in Port Chester. According to investigators, the suspect was seen crossing the street on lower Westchester Avenue before walking west and making a left ont…
Man Sentenced For Starting Fire At Hudson Valley Residence Where He Lived With Girlfriend Man Sentenced For Starting Fire At Hudson Valley Residence Where He Lived With Girlfriend
Man Sentenced For Starting Fire At Hudson Valley Residence Where He Lived With Girlfriend A man has been sentenced after he pleaded guilty to setting fire to an apartment where he and his girlfriend lived. Larry Hickmon, age 30, of Middletown, was sentenced on Thursday, March 24, to 18 years in state prison and five years of post-release supervision, according to Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler. Hickmon pleaded guilty to second-degree arson on Thursday, Jan. 27, in connection with the May 17 fire at an apartment complex on Concord Lane in Middletown. Earlier report - Man Charged With Assault, Arson, For Sparking Hudson Valley Fire During Domestic Disput…
Westchester Man Sentenced For Setting Ex-Girlfriend's Apartment On Fire, Destroying Building Westchester Man Sentenced For Setting Ex-Girlfriend's Apartment On Fire, Destroying Building
Westchester Man Sentenced For Setting Ex-Girlfriend's Apartment On Fire, Destroying Building A persistent violent felony offender from Westchester may spend the rest of his life in prison after being sentenced to terrorizing his ex-girlfriend in the summer of 2020, the District Attorney announced. Mount Vernon resident Tony Clark, age 39, was sentenced to a term of 16 years to life in prison for starting two separate fires at his former partner’s apartment on Franklin Avenue, during a standoff, causing the entire building to become uninhabitable. Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah said that Clark previously pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted arson, a violent fel…
Woman Accused Of Intentionally Setting Fire To Kill Family Of Six In Hudson Valley Woman Accused Of Intentionally Setting Fire To Kill Family Of Six In Hudson Valley
Woman Accused Of Intentionally Setting Fire To Kill Family Of Six In Hudson Valley A Hudson Valley woman has been charged with six counts of attempted murder for allegedly intentionally setting multiple fires inside an apartment house with the intent of killing the occupants. Orange County resident Dawn Hulse, age 50, of Port Jervis, was arrested on Tuesday, Jan. 25 for the incident which took place earlier in the morning. According to City of Port Jervis Police Chief William Worden, around 12:20 a.m., the Port Jervis City Police and Fire departments responded to a fire alarm activation at a two-family home located at 156 Jersey Avenue in the City of Port Jervis.  P…
33-Year-Old Accused Of Igniting Westchester House Fire 33-Year-Old Accused Of Igniting Westchester House Fire
33-Year-Old Accused Of Igniting Westchester House Fire A Westchester man has been arrested for allegedly igniting a fire that severely damaged a home and spread to a neighboring residence. Shawn Gaillard, age 33, of Mount Vernon, was arrested on Wednesday, Dec. 23, for the fire on South 7th Avenue three days earlier. On Monday, Dec. 20 around 11:30 a.m., while on patrol in the area of South 7th Avenue and Sandford Boulevard, officers found the house located at 505 South 7th Ave., fully engulfed in flames, according to the Mount Vernon Police. Officers on the scene also saw the fire spread to the adjacent house located at 507 South 7th Ave., po…
Westchester Woman Arrested For Arson After Burning Down 'Uncle's' Business Westchester Woman Arrested For Arson After Burning Down 'Uncle's' Business
Westchester Woman Arrested For Arson After Burning Down 'Uncle's' Business A failing restaurateur who conspired with members of his family to burn down his Hudson Valley business as part of an insurance fraud scheme is facing a host of charges, authorities announced. Orange County resident Zef Gjurashaj, age 59, of Newburgh, and his nephew’s wife, Yonkers resident Marina Gjurashaj, age 37, were indicted and charged with a series of crimes for allegedly conspiring to burn down his restaurant in 2017. Specifically, the two were charged by an Orange County grand jury with: First-degree arson; Conspiracy; Insurance fraud; Tax fraud; Various other offenses. Orange C…
21-Year-Old Sentenced For Fatal Fire That Killed Father In Hudson Valley 21-Year-Old Sentenced For Fatal Fire That Killed Father In Hudson Valley
21-Year-Old Sentenced For Fatal Fire That Killed Father In Hudson Valley A 21-year-old from the area will spend time in prison after admitting to killing his father and setting his home on fire. Putnam County resident Louis Weber IV, of Philipstown, pleaded guilty in August to manslaughter and arson for killing his father, Louis Weber Jr., who was 72 years old at the time, in November 2019. Original story - 20-Year-Old Charged With Murdering His Father After Lengthy Investigation On Wednesday, Nov. 10, Weber was sentenced to 20 years in prison on the manslaughter charge and up to nine years on the arson charge. He was also sentenced to five years of post-releas…
Five Found Dead After Massive House Fire Breaks Out In New York Five Found Dead After Massive House Fire Breaks Out In New York
Five Found Dead After Massive House Fire Breaks Out In New York Five people were found dead inside a Long Island home following a massive fire overnight. The blaze broke out around 10:40 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, at a three-story Riverhead residence located at 46 East 2nd St., said the Suffolk County Police. The five were found by local firefighters after the fire was extinguished, police said. Firefighters from eight departments responded.Riverhead Fire Department/Ex-Capt. Paul Sparrow Eight fire departments responded to battle the blaze that took several hours to put out. Riverhead Fire Department Ex-Chief Nicholas Luparella reported that upon arri…
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Killing Father Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Killing Father
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Killing Father A 21-year-old from the area will spend time in prison after admitting to killing his father and setting his home on fire. Putnam County resident Louis Weber IV, of Philipstown, pleaded guilty in August to manslaughter and arson for killing his father, Louis Weber Jr., who was 72 years old at the time, in November 2019. Original story - 20-Year-Old Charged With Murdering His Father After Lengthy Investigation On Wednesday, Nov. 10, Weber was sentenced to 20 years in prison on the manslaughter charge and up to nine years on the arson charge. He was also sentenced to five years of post-releas…
Westchester Man Accused Of Intentionally Setting Car Fire On Taconic Parkway Westchester Man Accused Of Intentionally Setting Car Fire On Taconic Parkway
Westchester Man Accused Of Intentionally Setting Car Fire On Taconic Parkway A 27-year-old Westchester County man is facing an arson charge after police said he intentially set a car on fire. Luis Ramos, of Yonkers, was arrested on Tuesday, Oct. 26, on a charge of third-degree arson, according to New York State Police.  At about 4:10 a.m., troopers responded to a report of a vehicle engulfed in flames on the Taconic State Parkway northbound at mile marker 48 in the Dutchess County town of LaGrange, State Police said. Troopers found a 1999 Toyota Camry, with no occupants, in a wooded area about 80 feet from the eastern shoulder, police said. LaGrange firefigh…