The Haverstraw Police Department arrested a 72-year-old man early Friday morning on multiple felony charges following a suspected arson incident at a local residence.
At approximately 5:19 a.m., officers responded to a 911 call reporting a disturbance and possible gunshots at a home in West Haverstraw. Upon arrival, police discovered a mattress engulfed in flames near the front entrance, as civilians attempted to douse the fire. Officers quickly secured the area and assisted in containing the fire until fire crews arrived.
An investigation determined that the suspect had intentionally set the mattress on fire inside the residence before fleeing the scene armed with a machete. A resident managed to drag the burning mattress outside, likely preventing further injury or structural damage.
Police conducted a coordinated search of the area and located the suspect a short time later. He was identified as German Santiago, 72, of West Haverstraw. Santiago was taken into custody and charged with 11 counts of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree and Arson in the Second Degree.
He was arraigned in the Village of West Haverstraw Justice Court and remanded to the Rockland County Correctional Facility. Despite the initial 911 report, no evidence of gunfire was found at the scene.
The Haverstraw Police Department was assisted by the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office Arson Investigation Unit and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation.