Hicksville man gets 5 years for setting fire to strip club, burglarizing smoke shop, DA says

A Hicksville man was sentenced Wednesday to 5 years in prison for setting fire to a strip club and burglarizing a smoke shop, officials said.

Craig Blum, 44, had pleaded guilty in June to arson for starting a fire at the rear of Billy Dean's Showtime Cafe in North Bellmore and burglarizing a Wantagh smoke shop, both on Dec. 15, acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said in a statement.

"The defendant recklessly set fire to a building and endangered the lives of many people that night," Singas said.

Justice Phillip Grella of County Court in Mineola imposed the sentence, which included 5 years of supervision after Blum is released.

The fire at the strip club damaged a hallway and bathroom, prosecutors said.

After setting the fire, "Blum drove to a nearby tobacco shop, kicked in the front door and stole candy as well as smoking paraphernalia," Singas said.

Blum was arrested walking down the street after a witness to the burglary at Burn Smoke Shop called police.