BANDIT UP FLAMES

Setting a parked car in Maspeth on fire in an apparent attempt to cover his tracks was a costly mistake for a Ridgewood man who was arrested by police last Tuesday, Oct. 20, for allegedly breaking into the vehicle and stealing a number of items from inside.

The perpetrator was identified by police as 18-year-old Michael Tobar of Fairview Avenue in Ridgewood.

According to information provided by the Queens District Attorney’s office, the incident occurred between 1 and 3:25 a.m. last Tuesday morning along 55th Avenue near 64th Street.

Reportedly, the male victim’s ve- hicle, a 1993 Toyota Corolla, was parked in the driveway when the alleged bandit broke into the vehicle and removed a number of items including a sum of cash, a car lock controller and several pairs of reading glasses.

Following the break-in, law enforcement sources determined that the vehicle was set on fire. Moments later, Tobar allegedly rang the door bell of the home and alerted the victim to the blaze.

Members of the 104th Precinct responded to the scene along with Fire Department units, which quickly extinguished the blaze. During the investigation that followed, it was determined by fire marshals that the flames were ignited with the use of an unidentified fire accelerant.

Police questioned Tobar at the location and discovered that he had, in his possession, a number of items allegedly stolen from the vehicle, in- cluding a sum of cash and several pairs of glasses.

The suspect was taken into custody and later charged with fourthdegree arson, criminal mischief, petit larceny and criminal possession of stolen property.

According to court records, Tobar was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court later that day before Judge Joseph Zayas, who ordered him held on $20,000 bond or $10,000 cash bail. The suspect is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 4.