NJ Owner Burned Down Chesco Business To Collect Insurance, DA Says
A New Jersey man who authorities say faced "numerous financial stressors" is accused of setting fire to his Chester County automotive business to reap the insurance payout, says District Attorney Deb Ryan.
Giuseppe Deangelis, 45, of Ventnor City, is charged with arson, insurance fraud, reckless endangerment, and other counts related to the fire that destroyed his J&G Automotive in Kennett Square in 2021, prosecutors said.
Firefighters were called to the J&G, 340 Cream Street, around 1 a.m. on May 3 that year to find "heavy fire and smoke," according to part of the crimin…
Hudson Valley Man Charged With Burning Car, Filing Fraudulent Claim, Police Say
A Hudson Valley man has been charged with arson after allegedly having his car burned and then filing a fraudulent claim.
Ulster County resident William Duryea, age 27, of Saugerties, was arrested on Monday, March 27 by state police, said Trooper Steven Nevel.
On Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022, Duryea went to work at 10 p.m. at the Ulster Service Area on I-87. Around 11:20 p.m. he received a call from Kingston Police telling him that his vehicle was found on fire in Hasbrouck Park, Nevel said.
Nevel said Duryea told police that he left his keys in the car when he went to work, and someone must h…
Hudson Valley Restaurateur Sentenced For Burning Down Eatery, Endangering Others
A former Hudson Valley restaurateur has been sentenced to prison for intentionally burning down his restaurant and endangering the lives of his wife and first responders.
Orange County resident Zef Gjurashaj, age 60, of Newburgh, was sentenced Wednesday, March 1.
Gjurashaj, who was convicted by a jury in September 2022, was sentenced to 22 years to life in prison for burning down Andiamo’s Restaurant, which was located at 5025 Route 9W, in the Town of Newburgh in 2017, the Orange County DA's Office said.
Prior to the trial, Gjurashaj’s co-defendant and the wife of his nephew…