Tag:

Arson

Hudson Valley Man Indicted On Murder, Concealment Of Corpse Charges, DA Says Hudson Valley Man Indicted On Murder, Concealment Of Corpse Charges, DA Says
Hudson Valley Man Indicted On Murder, Concealment Of Corpse Charges, DA Says A Hudson Valley man has been indicted with the murder of another man whom he shot to death and then drove the victim to another location and set the car on fire. Related story: Years-Long Investigation Leads To Murder Charge For Stony Point Man Rockland County resident Robert Rodriguez, age 36, of Stony Point, was arraigned on Tuesday, Feb. 27 following an indictment by a grand jury. According to Scott Waters of the Rockland County District Attorney's Office, on the evening of Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, Rodriguez shot the victim, Ronald Mann on the property at Rodriguez’s home located at 41…
Man Sets Fire To Veterans Building In Region, Police Say Man Sets Fire To Veterans Building In Region, Police Say
Man Sets Fire To Veterans Building In Region, Police Say A man is facing arson charges after allegedly setting fire to a veterans' organization building in the region. The incident happened at around 9 p.m. Monday, Jan. 1 in Troy, at the Veterans of Lansingburgh club on 1st Avenue. Troy Police said multiple people called 911 reporting a fire on the building’s exterior. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the flames with minimal damage reported to the building. Police said witnesses identified the suspect as 43-year-old Michael Christianson, of Troy. Officers found him a short time later near the scene and arrested him. Christianson wa…
Arsonist Admits Setting Fire To Restaurant In Region, Causing 'Extensive Damage' Arsonist Admits Setting Fire To Restaurant In Region, Causing 'Extensive Damage'
Arsonist Admits Setting Fire To Restaurant In Region, Causing 'Extensive Damage' An arsonist is facing years in prison after admitting that he intentionally started a fire that heavily damaged a restaurant in the region. Schenectady County resident Eric Reed, age 36, pleaded guilty to one count of arson in Schenectady County Court on Friday, Oct 27, stemming from a fire at the Wagon Train BBQ restaurant in Rotterdam. Firefighters were called to the Mariaville Road business at around 6 a.m. on Sunday, June 4, after flames broke out in a storage shed located right outside the main building. The fire quickly spread to a second storage shed and a utility pole, causing powe…
Arsonist Sets Fire To Business, Home In Region, Police Say Arsonist Sets Fire To Business, Home In Region, Police Say
Arsonist Sets Fire To Business, Home In Region, Police Say A man is facing charges in connection with intentional fires that were set at a home and business in the region. Michael Kabler, age 49, who is homeless, was arrested Saturday, Oct. 7, after multiple agencies responded to a residential fire at the Sunset Trailer Park in Colonie, located on Central Avenue, at around 6 a.m. According to Colonie Police, investigators determined that Kabler was responsible for the fire and had been squatting in the trailer. No other homes were damaged and nobody else was injured. He is also believed to be responsible for a fire that broke out in a camping tr…
Resident Purposely Sets Fire To Home Near Cemetery In Region, Police Say Resident Purposely Sets Fire To Home Near Cemetery In Region, Police Say
Resident Purposely Sets Fire To Home Near Cemetery In Region, Police Say A 66-year-old man is accused of intentionally setting fire to his home in the region. Emergency crews in Rensselaer County were called at around 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24, for a house fire in Troy’s Lansingburgh neighborhood, on 3rd Avenue near 106th Street. The home backs up to the Old Catholic Cemetery. When firefighters arrived, the home was fully engulfed in flames, according to Troy Police. Crews spent several hours dousing the fire. Nobody was injured in the blaze. After speaking with the sole resident, Blaise Lanni, investigators determined that he purposely started the fire. …
Arson: 27-Year-Old Disables Alarm Before Setting Fire To Apartment In Region, Police Say Arson: 27-Year-Old Disables Alarm Before Setting Fire To Apartment In Region, Police Say
Arson: 27-Year-Old Disables Alarm Before Setting Fire To Apartment In Region, Police Say A 27-year-old man is accused of setting fire to an apartment complex in the region. Firefighters in Saratoga County were called at around 2:20 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29, for a structure fire in Ballston on Dominic Drive, according to New York State Police. Members of the Ballston Spa Fire Department isolated and extinguished the fire, and determined it was suspicious. There were no reports of injuries. Several additional agencies responded, including the Saratoga County Office of Emergency Management, and concluded that the fire had been intentionally set by David Fink inside his apartment uni…
Suspect Nabbed In String Of Arsons, Thefts In Region Suspect Nabbed In String Of Arsons, Thefts In Region
Suspect Nabbed In String Of Arsons, Thefts In Region A man is behind bars in connection with a string of arsons and thefts in the region. The majority of incidents occurred overnight Tuesday, June 20, in Rensselaer County, in Troy’s Lansingburgh neighborhood, according to Troy Police. Four separate fires were reportedly set inside vehicles. Several belongings were also stolen from the cars. Earlier Report: String Of Overnight Car Fires In Troy Under Investigation No buildings were involved and there were no reports of injuries. On Tuesday, Aug. 15, police announced that 44-year-old George Leque, of Troy, was arrested after being ide…
Man Set Fire That Destroyed Garage, Damaged Apartment In Region, Police Say Man Set Fire That Destroyed Garage, Damaged Apartment In Region, Police Say
Man Set Fire That Destroyed Garage, Damaged Apartment In Region, Police Say A 61-year-old man is accused of intentionally starting a fire that destroyed a garage and heavily damaged an apartment building in the region. Rensselaer County resident Paul Coleman, of the Town of Grafton, was arraigned on an arson charge in Rensselaer County Court on Friday, June 9. According to sheriff’s officials, Coleman set fire to the detached garage located next to his apartment building on State Route 2 in the Town of Grafton. The structure was deemed a total loss. Flames also spread to the adjacent apartment building, where eight residents were sleeping, deputies said. Everyone…
Arson Spree: Suspect Nabbed In Series Of Fires In Region, Including One That Damaged Church Arson Spree: Suspect Nabbed In Series Of Fires In Region, Including One That Damaged Church
Arson Spree: Suspect Nabbed In Series Of Fires In Region, Including One That Damaged Church Police have arrested a suspect in a series of arson fires that were set in the region, including one that heavily damaged a church. In Albany County, police and fire crews in Colonie were called at around 12:30 a.m. Monday, June 5, with reports of a brush fire in the traffic roundabout at Albany Shaker and Maxwell roads. The fire left minor damage to a grassy area, according to the Colonie Police Department. Officers later located the suspect, 25-year-old Mark Marcus, of Albany, not far from the scene. According to investigators, Marcus intentionally started the fire, as well as several …
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Burning Down Home Of Ex-Girlfriend, 2 Kids Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Burning Down Home Of Ex-Girlfriend, 2 Kids
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Burning Down Home Of Ex-Girlfriend, 2 Kids A man has been sentenced to prison for arson after burning down the home of his ex-girlfriend and two young daughters in the region. Ulster County resident Timothy Benzenhoefer, age 44, of the hamlet of Malden-on-Hudson, was sentenced on Friday, May 19 to 5 to 15 years in state prison for arson which he committed as part of his ongoing domestic abuse, said the Ulster County District Attorney Office.  The fire took place on Wednesday, June 25, 2022, a few days after calling off his engagement to the victim, Benzenhoefer completely burned to the ground the home where the v…
20-Year-Old Set Fire To Pharmacy In Region Over Pickup Policy, Police Say 20-Year-Old Set Fire To Pharmacy In Region Over Pickup Policy, Police Say
20-Year-Old Set Fire To Pharmacy In Region Over Pickup Policy, Police Say A 20-year-old man is facing arson charges after allegedly setting fire to a pharmacy in the region. In Albany County, the Watervliet Police Department was called on Monday, April 3, with reports of a dumpster fire in the parking lot of Walgreens, located on 2nd Avenue near 19th Street. The fire eventually spread toward the building’s gas line before it was extinguished, according to Watervliet Police. At the time of the incident, the store was open with employees and customers inside. “The Watervliet Fire Department’s quick response was essential to containing the fire to the exterior of t…
Hudson Valley Man Charged With Burning Car, Filing Fraudulent Claim, Police Say Hudson Valley Man Charged With Burning Car, Filing Fraudulent Claim, Police Say
Hudson Valley Man Charged With Burning Car, Filing Fraudulent Claim, Police Say A Hudson Valley man has been charged with arson after allegedly having his car burned and then filing a fraudulent claim. Ulster County resident William Duryea, age 27, of Saugerties, was arrested on Monday, March 27 by state police, said Trooper Steven Nevel. On Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022, Duryea went to work at 10 p.m. at the Ulster Service Area on I-87. Around 11:20 p.m. he received a call from Kingston Police telling him that his vehicle was found on fire in Hasbrouck Park, Nevel said. Nevel said Duryea told police that he left his keys in the car when he went to work, and someone must h…
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…
21-Year-Old Accused Of Setting Fire To Home Near College In Region Pleads Not Guilty 21-Year-Old Accused Of Setting Fire To Home Near College In Region Pleads Not Guilty
21-Year-Old Accused Of Setting Fire To Home Near College In Region Pleads Not Guilty A 21-year-old woman accused of setting fire to an occupied home near a college in the region is formally denying any wrongdoing. Allexus Pecoraro, of Erieville in Madison County, pleaded not guilty to an eight-count arson indictment in Albany County Court on Wednesday, Feb. 15. Firefighters in Albany were called at around 7:30 a.m. on May 8, 2022 with reports that a home was on fire near the College of Saint Rose, on Hudson Avenue near Ontario Street, according to Albany Police. The fire destroyed one home and damaged two others, along with three vehicles that were parked nearby. One per…
Rest Area McDonald's Worker Intentionally Set Fire To Building In Region, Police Say Rest Area McDonald's Worker Intentionally Set Fire To Building In Region, Police Say
Rest Area McDonald's Worker Intentionally Set Fire To Building In Region, Police Say A McDonald’s employee at a rest area in the region is facing charges after allegedly setting fire to the building. State Police in Albany County were initially called to the Guilderland Travel Plaza on I-90 just after 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12, with reports of a fire. Investigators determined that 19-year-old Nyri Baird, of Guilderland, had intentionally started the fire while working at the McDonald's located in the building, police said. Troopers did not elaborate on the extent of damage and it was not immediately clear what led up to the incident. There were no reports of injuries. …
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…
Hudson Valley Man Charged With Killing Stepfather, Lighting Relative's Home On Fire: DA Hudson Valley Man Charged With Killing Stepfather, Lighting Relative's Home On Fire: DA
Hudson Valley 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 Accused Of Setting Fiancé's House On Fire In Area Man Accused Of Setting Fiancé's House On Fire In Area
Man Accused Of Setting Fiancé's House On Fire In Area A man from the region has been charged with allegedly intentionally setting his fiancé's home on fire. The fire took place in Ulster County around 1:45 a.m., on Saturday, June 22 in Saugerties. When Saugerties police officers and firefighters from the Saxton Fire District arrived on the scene they found a single-family home engulfed by fire, said Chief Joseph Sinagra of the Saugerties Police. Following an investigation, evidence was presented to an Ulster County grand jury who indicted Timothy Benzenhoefer, age 44, of Saugerties with causing the fire, the chief said. Benzehoefer was arred…
Man Charged With Setting Hudson Valley Home On Fire In Domestic Violence Incident: Police Man Charged With Setting Hudson Valley Home On Fire In Domestic Violence Incident: Police
Man Charged With Setting Hudson Valley 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 Area Police Pursue 'Persons Of Interest' After Fire Set At School In Area
Police Pursue 'Persons Of Interest' After Fire Set At School In Area 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…
Area Restaurant Owner Convicted Of Setting Fire That Destroyed Eatery Area Restaurant Owner Convicted Of Setting Fire That Destroyed Eatery
Area Restaurant Owner Convicted Of Setting Fire That Destroyed Eatery 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…
Murder Suspect Who Set Fire To Avoid Capture In Hudson Valley ID'd, Charged, Police Say Murder Suspect Who Set Fire To Avoid Capture In Hudson Valley ID'd, Charged, Police Say
Murder Suspect Who Set Fire To Avoid Capture In Hudson Valley 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…
Hudson Valley Murder Suspect Sets Fire To Building To Avoid Capture, Police Say Hudson Valley Murder Suspect Sets Fire To Building To Avoid Capture, Police Say
Hudson Valley 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 Area Home 23-Year-Old Accused Of Starting Fire That Damaged Area Home
23-Year-Old Accused Of Starting Fire That Damaged Area 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…
Murder Suspect Accused Of Setting Fire To Business In Region Murder Suspect Accused Of Setting Fire To Business In Region
Murder Suspect Accused Of Setting Fire To Business In Region A man already jailed on murder charges has been accused of setting fire to a Capital District business in 2017. Saratoga County Sheriff’s deputies began investigating after someone broke into Curtis Lumber on State Route 67 in the Town of Ballston after the business closed on Nov. 27, 2017. The suspect spent hours on the property sabotaging electrical and gas systems in several buildings, damaging computer systems, and tampering with the 911 system on a Verizon Wireless tower located on the property, according to police. He also set fire to a storage building that was filled with sub-floor…
Arson Suspect At Large After Lighting Garbage Bins On Fire In Hudson Valley Arson Suspect At Large After Lighting Garbage Bins On Fire In Hudson Valley
Arson Suspect At Large After Lighting Garbage Bins On Fire In Hudson Valley 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 Multi-Family Residence In Area Man Sentenced For Starting Fire At Multi-Family Residence In Area
Man Sentenced For Starting Fire At Multi-Family Residence In Area 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…
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Setting Ex-Girlfriend's Apartment On Fire Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Setting Ex-Girlfriend's Apartment On Fire
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Setting Ex-Girlfriend's Apartment On Fire 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…
Suspect Nabbed For Alleged Arson Of Dutchess Apartment Building Suspect Nabbed For Alleged Arson Of Dutchess Apartment Building
Suspect Nabbed For Alleged Arson Of Dutchess Apartment Building A Hudson Valley man has been arrested for the alleged arson of an apartment building. Dutchess County resident Charles A. Keenan, age 48 of Dover Plains, was arrested on Tuesday, Feb. 1 in connection with the fire in January in the town of Dover, said Lieutenant Shawn Castano, of the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office. The two-alarm fire took place around 9 p.m., on Thursday, Jan. 13 on Brady Lane in a building that houses multiple apartments in the town of Dover, Castano said. "The alleged actions of this defendant not only endangered the lives of the residents in the apartme…
Woman Accused Of Intentionally Setting Fire To Kill Family In Area Woman Accused Of Intentionally Setting Fire To Kill Family In Area
Woman Accused Of Intentionally Setting Fire To Kill Family In Area 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…