Teen charged with office building arson, vandalism

A 17-year-old was arrested Thursday and charged with breaking into a vacant Carle Place office building last week, vandalizing it, and intentionally starting a fire there, police said.

James Rosario, of 339 Rushmore Ave., was charged with third-degree burglary, third-degree arson and second-degree criminal mischief.

Rosario broke into the building at 55 Cherry La. that was being renovated on the night of June 3, Nassau police said.

He broke several office windows, and used matches to set fire to various combustible materials that he found in the building, police said.

A fire alarm, and sprinkler system were activated by the fire, police said, and Rosario fled. Carle Place fire fighters responded and extinguished the fire. There were no injuries, police said.

Detectives from the Arson/Bomb investigated the incident and Thursday placed Rosario under arrest. There was no apparent motive for the burglary and fire, police said.

Rosario was to be arraigned Friday in First District Court, Hempstead.