GENESEO – A minor garbage can fire in the bathroom at Walmart turned into an arson investigation and a felony arrest. According to a press release from Geneseo Police Chief Eric Osganian, Jacob Hicks, 37, was arrested for felony Attempted Arson in the Second Degree. "Walmart put the fire out before the Geneseo Fire Department even arrived," said Osganian. "But getting more into it, they felt that it was intentionally set, and the … [Read more...]
Investigators Rule Arson Cause of Dansville House Fire
DANSVILLE – The Livingston County Sheriff's Office arrested a Dansville woman for allegedly setting her own house on fire. According to a press release from Sheriff Thomas Dougherty, Marjorie Hazlett, 66, is now charged with felony Arson in the Third Degree. On Sunday June 18 at 5:55 p.m., the Livingston County Emergency Communications Center (E-911) began receiving calls for a structure fire at 22 Greenmount Court in the Town of North … [Read more...]
Teen Faces 4 Felonies for Mount Morris Arson
LIVINGSTON COUNTY – A Mount Morris teenager was arraigned on a four-count felony indictment Thursday morning in connection to the burning of an unoccupied building in the Village of Mount Morris. Alex Gross, 17, is charged with Arson in the Third Degree, Burglary in the Third Degree, Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree, and Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, all of which are felonies. If found guilty, he could face up to 5 to 15 … [Read more...]
Judge Sentences Arsonist to Prison: ‘No One Will be Happy’
LIVINGSTON COUNTY – Brandon Rosa sobbed at the defense table on Tuesday as a judge sentenced him to prison for breaking into a stranger's house in Mount Morris, ripping property apart with a blunt tool, burning the garage to the ground, and telling responding police that his family was inside. With his family looking on, Rosa, 26, of Perry, was sentenced to 5 years in prison and 5 years of parole supervision. He and his attorney Kevin Van … [Read more...]
Rosa Pleads Guilty to All Charges on Morning of Trial
LIVINGSTON COUNTY – The man who was arrested for burning down a Mount Morris families' detached garage in 2014 pled guilty on the morning of his long-anticipated trial to multiple charges including arson and burglary. Brandon Rosa, 26, pled guilty to all of the charges in his indictment, which were felony Arson in the Third Degree, Burglary in the Second Degree, Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree and Reckless Endangerment in the First … [Read more...]
Arson and Burglary Suspect in the Hot Seat for $309,000
LIVINGSTON COUNTY – It is decision time for a young Perry man who stands accused of tearing apart the interior of a home on Parker Road in Mount Morris and burning its garage to the ground, now that a plea offer has been extended for multiple violent felonies, including Burglary and Arson, as well as felony Reckless Endangerment and Criminal Mischief. Brandon Rosa, 25, was apprehended while running from the scene with multiple cuts and … [Read more...]
False Fire Alarms in Dorms Spark Investigation by SUNY
GENESEO – The University Police Department is currently investigating a series of minor fires and false fire alarm activations in several residence halls on the SUNY campus, the first of which took place the evening of Sunday, October 5, in Ontario Hall. According to University Police, there have been ten false fire alarm activations since October. Monroe, Suffolk, Onondaga and especially Niagara Residence Halls have had the pull-box style … [Read more...]
Willson States Depression Pushed Him to Burn House Down
LIVINGSTON COUNTY – A former Lima resident has shed some light on the circumstances that may have led to the to the destruction of his house in a house fire in May of this year. Richard Willson, 56, is charged with Arson in the Third Degree after he was found at the scene of an intense structure fire. Willson shocked Livingston County residents when he came away from the fire with third-degree burns on his legs. "I was extremely depressed," … [Read more...]
Injured Lima Homeowner Charged with Arson after House Fire
LIMA — Richard G. Willson, a homeowner found near his burned home in late May, has been arrested and charged with Arson in the Third Degree upon his release from Strong Memorial Hospital. Willson was found on May 28 at 7146 College St in the Village of Lima with third degree burns on his right foot and lower left leg. A thorough investigation into the fire alleges that Willson did pour gasoline inside the residence, attempting to burn it … [Read more...]
Mt. Morris Home Vandalized and Burned by Arson Suspect
MOUNT MORRIS — A residence on Parker Road was severely damaged by fire and vandalized at approximately 3:30 Friday morning. Every interior surface, window, piece of furniture, and appliance in the residence was violently destroyed with a blunt tool before the attached garage was burned to the ground. "The door to the refrigerator is broken off and thrown through a front window," said Diane O'Grady, one of several neighbors who were on the … [Read more...]