Yorktown Officers on UTV Catch Arson Suspect Who Allegedly Set Stolen Car on Fire

Yorktown Police report the arrest of a twenty-six year old Briarcliff man, who is charged with Arson 3rd Degree, a Class “C” Felony, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 4th Degree, a Class “E” Felony, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th Degree, a Class “A” Misdemeanor.
 
On June 24, 2020 at about 9:44 am, Yorktown Police received several 911 calls from residents at 1870 Baldwin Rd. reporting a vehicle on fire in the woods behind that address.  Multiple Yorktown Police officers, along with the Yorktown Heights Fire Department, responded to the scene and found a fully involved car fire.  The responding officers quickly identified the vehicle as being stolen out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and suspected that the vehicle had been intentionally set on fire.  Officers at the scene began searching the area for a potential suspect.  At the same time, Yorktown Police Detective Swart and Officer Fortunato were conducting all-terrain vehicle training on the department’s UTV in the wooded area behind police headquarters.  Det. Swart and PO Fortunato, after hearing the call about the burning vehicle, began driving towards the scene.  While enroute, Det. Swart and PO Fortunato came across a male subject walking in the woods who had visible burns on his hands and arms.  Det. Swart and PO Fortunato detained the subject, who was later identified as the defendant.  Further investigation alleged that the defendant was driving the vehicle, which had been stolen two days earlier from the Fort Lauderdale (FL) Airport.  It is also alleged that the defendant set the vehicle on fire behind 1870 Baldwin Rd. before fleeing the scene and was allegedly in possession of a quantity of heroin when he was arrested.
 
The defendant was processed at Yorktown Police Headquarters, where he was issued three Appearance Tickets and released on his own recognizance to a responsible party.  He is scheduled to appear in Yorktown Justice Court on August 6, 2020 at 6:00 pm.