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Astoria resident sets six cars on fire, lights rags placed in gas tanks

File photo

File photo

Dec. 4, 2014 By Christian Murray

An Astoria man has been charged for trying to torch half a dozen vehicles – including a police car – in the Elmhurst area yesterday.

Miguel Ramos, 23, allegedly stuffed a rag in each of the vehicles’ gas tanks and then set them on fire, according to the Queens District Attorney’s office.

“These incidents should not be viewed as a prank,” said Richard A Brown, the Queens District Attorney. “Arson is a serious crime that will be dealt with accordingly.”

Ramos allegedly inserted a rag into the gas tank of a Honda Passport that was parked in front of 42-02 Layton Street at about 6:30 am Dec. 3. He then lit the rag on fire, according to the criminal complaint.

Ramos then walked a few doors down and placed another dark rag into the gas tank of a white Nissan and allegedly lit the rag on fire, according the complaint.

When the police arrived, they allegedly discovered fiery rags hanging from the two vehicles that had damaged the gas tanks and the rear of the vehicles.

The police then surveyed the area and allegedly discovered four additional vehicles with rags hanging from the gas tank. The vehicles included a black Volvo, a gold Chevrolet and a black Audi and a marked police car.

Ramos is presently awaiting arraignment in Queens Criminal Court and has been charged with three-counts of third-degree criminal mischief and six counts of fourth-degree arson. If convicted, Ramos faces up to four years in prison.

email the author: news@queenspost.com

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