STORM WATCH

Morning snow followed by deep cold this week on Long Island

Police arrest suspect in Elmont car fires

Police say someone torched five parked cars Thursday morning in Elmont. Flames from one of them also damaged a sixth car. Investigators say they have one person in custody who may be responsible for

News 12 Staff

May 27, 2016, 4:32 PM

Updated 3,129 days ago

Share:

Police say someone torched five parked cars Thursday morning in Elmont. Flames from one of them also damaged a sixth car.
Investigators say they have one person in custody who may be responsible for the fires.
According to police, a Steel Street resident saw a man breaking into a red Infinity around 5 a.m. The witness subdued him and held him until police arrived.
Police have identified the suspect as Juan Perez, 37, of Elmont.
"The defendant tried to strike the good Samaritan, a physical confrontation ensued, the individual was kept there by the good Samaritan until police arrived," says Nassau Police Detective Lt. Richard LeBrun.
Police say the first fire was reported at 3:34 a.m.
They say most of the fires happened on Stone Street and Terrence Avenue, all within blocks of each other.
A security camera recorded one of the cars bursting into flames and exploding. Neighbors say the area sounded like a combat zone, but officials say no injuries were reported during the incidents.