April 23, 2008

Queens Man Gets Probation for Long Beach Arson

Man claims he set fire to mother’s car in an attempt to cover up accident

MINEOLA, NY – Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced today that Robert J. Ruland, 20, of Belle Harbor, Queens, was sentenced to three years probation after he pleaded guilty last month to setting fire to his mother’s car in an attempt to cover up an auto accident that occurred in Queens.

On January 2, 2008, Ruland, 20, parked his mother’s 2008 Chevy Impala on Harding Avenue in Long Beach, sprayed lighter fluid on the interior of the vehicle, and attempted to set fire to the car. The interior of the vehicle sustained minor burns and was extinguished by the time fire and police officials arrived on the scene.

Ruland initially told police that the car had been set on fire by two men in a red minivan who had followed him after a minor traffic accident on the Southern State Parkway. Ruland told police that after parking the car, he saw two males reach into his car and set it on fire with a barbecue lighter. After further investigation, Ruland claimed that he hit a dumpster in Queens and attempted to torch his mother’s car to cover up the damage from the accident.

He pled guilty to Arson in the Fifth Degree on March 5, 2008.

“Though no injuries occurred, this could have been a very dangerous incident for himself, his neighbors, and the responding emergency personnel at the scene,” said Rice. “In this case, the cover-up was undoubtedly worse than the accident.

Ruland was sentenced by Nassau County Court Judge John Kase. Assistant District Attorney Michael Canty, of the DA’s County Court Trial Bureau, handled the case for the District Attorney’s Office. Mr. Ruland was represented by Randolph Iannacone, Esq.