Suffolk County Police arrested a Medford Fire Department volunteer firefighter for intentionally setting a brush fire in Medford.
Police said Jonathan Quiles intentionally set a fire in a wooded area on Mount Vernon Avenue at approximately
3:35 p.m. on November 12.
The fire also damaged a 2004 Chevrolet parked nearby.
Following an investigation by Arson Section detectives, Quiles, 20, of Medford, was charged with Arson 4th Degree, Arson 5th Degree, and Reckless Endangerment 2nd Degree.
Suffolk County District Attorney blasted "No Bail" laws concerning this specific case, and urged New York lawmakers to enact more stiff laws pertaining to bail for suspects charged with crimes.
"Unfortunately, under New York’s “Bail Reform,” intentionally setting fires in the midst of the dangerously dry conditions and a statewide burn ban are not bail eligible offenses, meaning my prosecutors cannot even ask for bail on these charges. Our New York lawmakers need to get their act together and pass common sense fixes to a broken bail system," said Tierney.