An Astoria man last week was charged with setting fire to six cars in Elmhurst—including a marked police vehicle, according to Queens District Attorney Richard Brown.
Miguel Ramos, 23, was arraigned last Thursday on a criminal complaint charging him with three counts of third-degree criminal mischief and six counts of fourth-degree arson. Ramos remained on Rikers Island after bail was set at $10,000 or $30,000 bond.
According to the complaint, Ramos allegedly was seen on Layton Street at approximately 6:30 a.m. on Dec. 3, placing a dark-colored rag into the gas tank of a Honda Passport and lighting the rag on fire. He was then allegedly seen walking a few doors down and placing another dark rag into the gas tank of a white Nissan and lighting the rag on fire.
When police arrived at the scene, they saw the fiery rags hanging from the two vehicles, and charring and damage to the gas tanks and rears of the vehicles. While searching for other vehicles that may have been targeted, cops allegedly discovered four additional vehicles—including a marked police car on Broadway—with dark rags hanging from the gas tanks that had sustained similar damage.
If convicted, Ramos faces up to four years in prison.
