Crimes Nearby: Man Torches Apartments, Domestic Dispute Leads to Suicide Threat

The following information was supplied by the Nassau County, Rockville Centre and Long Beach police departments. A criminal charge is only an accusation, and does not indicate convictions.

Man Arrested in West Hempstead for Torching Apartment Building

A 49-year-old man was arrested Thursday morning at the Capri Motor Inn in West Hempstead after allegedly torching an apartment building in Hempstead.

According to detectives with Nassau County Police's Arson and Bomb Squad, Dennis Sibert, allegedly went to the residence of a 60-year-old woman on Union Place in Hempstead on Tuesday, April 17. Around 9:50 p.m., Sibert allegedly struck the apartment building with an incendiary device, causing both the building and ground to ignite.

The Hempstead Fire Department responded to the scene and extinguished the blaze. The building has six separate apartments and 17 people were present at the time, police said. No injuries were reported. The Nassau County Fire Marshal's Office was called to scene to investigate.

Man Arrested After Threatening Suicide

An East Meadow man was arrested after he had an altercation with his mother and threatened to harm himself Tuesday, police said.

According to First Precinct detectives, Genri Palacios-Acosta, 27, became involved in a “verbal, physical and property damaging disturbance” with his mother at his Hull Street home. When police responded, Palacios-Acosta locked himself in a bedroom and threatened to harm himself if they entered the residence.

After several hours of negotiations, Palacios-Acosta surrendered, was placed under arrest and was taken to Nassau University Medical Center for evaluation.

Police said that, during the altercation, Palacios-Acosta’s mother suffered facial pain and an abrasion to her cheek. She refused medical attention at the scene.

Palacios-Acosta is charged with third-degree criminal mischief, third-degree assault, second-degree menacing and two counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief. His arraignment is scheduled for April 18 at First District Court in Hempstead.

Two Swastikas Found Painted in West Hempstead

Nassau County Police are investigating two incidents of aggravated harassment involving swastikas being painted in West Hempstead.

According to detectives, a 53-year-old female noticed a swastika painted on the front window of her Wilson Street home on April 13.

A second incident was reported on April 16 by a 35-year-old male, who discovered a swastika, approximately two feet high by two feet wide, painted on the passenger door of his 1999 Volkswagen at his Ivy Street residence, police said.

Both incidents are under investigation.

New Hyde Park Woman Among Arrestees for Check Forging

A New Hyde Park woman was one of six people arrested for allegedly being in possession of forged checks, which were used to withdraw $5,800 from a Nassau County Police Federal Credit Union account.

According to Nassau County detectives, Ashley Smellie, 20, was arrested in connection with possession of 10 forged checks which were deposited into bank accounts and then withdrawn between Dec. 10, 2011 and Jan. 17, 2012.

The other individuals arrested are Tamarr Ellerbe, 23, Shaniqua Reese, 21, Shantavia Land, 21, Gianni Henderson, 20 and Alexis Stevens, 18, all of Hempstead.

All co-defendants were arrested and arraigned in February 2012, in First District Court and were each charged with second degree possession of a forged instrument. Smellie was additionally charged with third degree grand larceny.

For more crime, follow these links: Malverne-West Hempstead, East Meadow, Mineola and New Hyde Park.