Tag:

Arson

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…
Man Charged With Lighting Brush Fires Intentionally In Hudson Valley: Police Man Charged With Lighting Brush Fires Intentionally In Hudson Valley: Police
Man Charged With Lighting Brush Fires Intentionally In Hudson Valley: Police A man from Fairfield County has been charged with intentionally starting brush fires in the Hudson Valley, police said.  On Sunday, Nov. 27, police in Putnam County responded to a brush fire in Southeast on Old Milltown Road and were told by firefighters that they had responded to an unusually high number of fires in the same area over the past year, according to Putnam County Sheriff Kevin McConville.  Police then began investigating to find out if the fires were set on purpose, and with the help of an arson detection K9 from the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office, authorities real…
Northern Westchester Man Charged With Killing Stepfather, Lighting Relative's Home On Fire: DA Northern Westchester Man Charged With Killing Stepfather, Lighting Relative's Home On Fire: DA
Northern Westchester 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…
Man Charged With Setting Westchester Home On Fire In Domestic Violence Incident: Police Man Charged With Setting Westchester Home On Fire In Domestic Violence Incident: Police
Man Charged With Setting Westchester Home On Fire In Domestic Violence Incident: Police Police in Westchester County have charged a man with setting a home on fire as part of a domestic violence incident.  On Friday, Oct. 21, at around 3:30 p.m., police responded to a home in Yonkers located at 50 Gunther Ave. that had been set on fire as part of an "escalation of on-going domestic violence issues with a former acquaintance," police said.  Police charged 28-year-old Kostiantyn Limanskyi, address unknown, with third-degree arson in relation to the incident.  There were no injuries, and there was minor damage to the exterior of the residence, police said. 
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…
Northern Westchester Murder Suspect Who Set Fire To Avoid Capture ID'd, Charged, Police Say Northern Westchester Murder Suspect Who Set Fire To Avoid Capture ID'd, Charged, Police Say
Northern 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…
Northern Westchester Murder Suspect Sets Fire To Building To Avoid Capture, Police Say Northern Westchester Murder Suspect Sets Fire To Building To Avoid Capture, Police Say
Northern 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 Area 21-Year-Old Sentenced For Fatal Fire That Killed Father In Area
21-Year-Old Sentenced For Fatal Fire That Killed Father In Area 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…
21-Year-Old Sentenced For Killing Father In Area 21-Year-Old Sentenced For Killing Father In Area
21-Year-Old Sentenced For Killing Father In Area 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…
Arrest Made In Fatal Stabbing Of Mother, Daughter In Westchester Arrest Made In Fatal Stabbing Of Mother, Daughter In Westchester
Arrest Made In Fatal Stabbing Of Mother, Daughter In Westchester A Westchester man has been arrested on charges that he stabbed to death a mother and daughter in their home and then fled the area. Yonkers officials said Luis Gabriel Ramos, of Yonkers, was arrested on Wednesday, Nov. 3 in Salome, Arizona for the stabbing murder which took place sometime between Friday, Oct. 29, and when the two were found on Monday, Nov. 1. The two women have been identified as Isabella Triano, 70, and her 38-year-old daughter, Trisha Miller.  The women were found in their Shipman Avenue after a friend asked for a welfare check when she had not heard from one of the…
Father, Son Charged In Fire That Killed Two, Including Firefighter In Hudson Valley Father, Son Charged In Fire That Killed Two, Including Firefighter In Hudson Valley
Father, Son Charged In Fire That Killed Two, Including Firefighter In Hudson Valley Father and son rabbis pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from a fire that killed an area firefighter and another person. The two men, Rabbi Aaron Sommer and Rabbi Nathaniel Sommer, both of Rockland County, were arraigned on multiple charges that included manslaughter and negligent homicide on Thursday, Oct. 28. The charges stem from their involvement in the fatal fire at the Evergreen Adult Home in Spring Valley on Tuesday, March 23. Prosecutors said their actions of using a propane-injected torch to clean the facility's ovens and kitchen set off the fire while conducting a pre-Passov…
NY State Police Issue Alert For 22-Year-Old Wanted For Multiple Felonies NY State Police Issue Alert For 22-Year-Old Wanted For Multiple Felonies
NY State Police Issue Alert For 22-Year-Old Wanted For Multiple Felonies New York State Police are searching for a 22-year-old man who is wanted on multiple felony charges. Two warrants were issued for the arrest of Deven Hotaling, who is from the Columbia County village of Philmont, after he failed to appear for court dates, State Police reported on Monday, Oct. 4. Police said in May of 2020, Hotaling was arrested by authorities in Livingston for forcibly stealing more than $1,700 from a ride share driver. He was charged with third-degree robbery and fourth-degree grand larceny. In August of that year, he was arrested on a second-degree arson charge for settin…
21-Year-Old Admits To Killing His Father, Setting Home On Fire In Area 21-Year-Old Admits To Killing His Father, Setting Home On Fire In Area
21-Year-Old Admits To Killing His Father, Setting Home On Fire In Area A 21-year-old from the area has admitted to killing his father and setting his home on fire. Putnam County resident Louis Weber IV, of Philipstown, pleaded guilty this week 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 Putnam County District Attorney Robert Tendy said that on Nov. 4, 2019, first responders were dispatched to a Second Street home in Philipstown, where there was a home that went up in flames. After put…
Man Accused Of Committing Arson To Cover Up Burglary In Area Man Accused Of Committing Arson To Cover Up Burglary In Area
Man Accused Of Committing Arson To Cover Up Burglary In Area An alleged Bloods street gang member from the region was arrested for allegedly intentionally setting a fire in an attempt to cover up a burglary, authorities announced. Firefighters in Sullivan County were called to a reported structure fire at 1:40 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 2 on Fraser Road in the Town of Thompson, across from the Kiamesha Bowling Alley. According to the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office, firefighters were able to evacuate seven residents from the multi-family home, including an 11-month-old child, and a 59-year-old man who found himself trapped and suffered burns. The investi…
Four Charged, Two Arrest Warrants Pending In Fatal Hudson Valley Fire, DA Says Four Charged, Two Arrest Warrants Pending In Fatal Hudson Valley Fire, DA Says
Four Charged, Two Arrest Warrants Pending In Fatal Hudson Valley Fire, DA Says Four people have been arrested, including two facing manslaughter charges, and two others face arrest warrants in connection with a fatal fire at a Rockland County home for elderly residents. The arrests were announced on Tuesday, June 29 by Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Walsh during a press conference following a three-month investigation into the Tuesday, March 23, fire at Evergreen Court Home for Adults in Spring Valley. The fire, which caused the building to partially collapse, killed Spring Valley Volunteer Firefighter Jared Lloyd as he was rescuing residents and a 79-year-…
Woman Accused Of Setting Fire At Adult Living Facility In Area, Police Say Woman Accused Of Setting Fire At Adult Living Facility In Area, Police Say
Woman Accused Of Setting Fire At Adult Living Facility In Area, Police Say A Hudson Valley woman has been arrested for allegedly starting a fire in a senior living facility in order to harm another resident. Barbara Desilva of Spring Valley was arrested on Tuesday, April 6 after Spring Valley police responded to the Golden Acres Residential Facility, at 11 Prospect St., for a report that a resident had started a fire, said Spring Valley Police Det. Matthew Galli. According to Galli, an investigation found that Desilva intentionally set the fire in order to harm a man who lives at the facility. Desilva was charged with attempted murder and arson. She is being held…