Zachary Rogers, a 23-year-old volunteer firefighter from the Pine Hill Fire Department, was arrested Monday afternoon and charged with two counts of arson, among other charges.
Shandaken police say that evidence suggests that Rogers set two brush fires on New York City DEP property on Birch Creek Road in Pine Hill.
From a press release received from the Shandaken police department today:
Police state that they began an investigation of suspicious brush fires that had taken place on July 1st and July 11th in the same area of Birch Creek Road in the Pine Hill Fire District on New York City DEP property.
On July 16th Zachary A. Rogers who was a new member of the Pine Hill Fire Department was arrested and charged with setting the one brush fire that had occurred on July 11th after witnesses and evidence collected at the scene all pointed to Rogers.
Rogers was charged with 1 Misdemeanor count each of Arson in the 5th Degree, Criminal Mischief 4th Degree, Official Misconduct and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the 3rd degree.
Rogers was issued an appearance ticket for Shandaken Town Court for July 19th, 2012 @ 3:30 PM.
Police were assisted by members of the Ulster County Fire Investigations Unit, the NYC DEP Police and New York State Police in Kingston.
The Freeman has a little more, from detective Fred Holland of the Shandaken Police:
Holland said Rogers drove off after starting the July 11 fire but left behind evidence with his name on it. The detective said Rogers then realized his vehicle’s alternator was going, turned around and went back to his home to get another vehicle.
“A witness saw Rogers’ vehicle drive off, then come back. The witness then saw smoke,” Holland said.
YNN and the Times Herald-Record also have news briefs on the arrest.
