A Hempstead man was arrested for allegedly setting a car on fire in a New Cassel parking lot.
On April 30 at 4:50 p.m., Nassau County officers responded to a 911 call for a vehicle fire. Upon arrival, officers observed a gray 2011 Honda Pilot full engulfed in flames. The Westbury Fire Department responded to extinguish the flames. No injuries were reported.
After an extensive investigation, Oma Puzie, 52, was observed in the parking lot of 735 Prospect Avenue where it was determined he allegedly used an accelerant to set the vehicle on fire before fleeing the scene. The Arson Bomb Squad, with the assistance of the Nassau County Fire Marshal, located Puzie nearby and placed him under arrest without incident.
Police charged Puzie with Arson in the Third Degree. He was arraigned on May 1 at First District Court in Hempstead.