Five cars were torched early Thursday morning in a suburban community on Long Island and police said hours later that they had made an arrest.
The sound of exploding air bags awakened a few of the car owners in Elmont at about 3:45 a.m. and they immediately reported the fires to Nassau County police.
The owner of one of the torched vehicles had spotted a suspect and held him for police.
The suspect, identified as Juan Perez, of Elmont, was subsequently charged with arson and criminal mischief, investigators said. Perez appeared to be intoxicated when apprehended.
Perez is also accused of breaking into two other vehicles.
The fires occurred on Atherton Avenue near Terrace Avenue, authorities said. Five cars were destroyed and one other car was damaged.
Residents were puzzled as to why the vehicles were torched.
Local
Cal Ford watched his wife's SUV go up in flames. He had given the SUV to her eight years ago as an engagement present.
"If he ever had to deal with her, he'd be in trouble," Ford said.
