Crime & Safety

Police: West Hempstead Man, Firefighter Torched Car

May arson incident leads to arrest of North Bellmore firefighter.

A West Hempstead man was arrested Tuesday after allegedly setting fire to an acquaintance's car back in May in North Bellmore.

According to Nassau County detectives, around 4:30 a.m. on May 19, 25-year-old Matthew Greve entered the North Bellmore firehouse, removed a Halligan Fireman’s tool and filled a water bottle with gasoline.

Greve, a firefighter with the North Bellmore Fire Department, then went to Dewey Avenue where police said he found an unoccupied 1999 Jeep Cherokee that belonged to an acquaintance.

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After locating the targeted car, police said Greve broke the car window, poored gasoline on the seat and set fire to it.

The ensuing fire destroyed the vehicle, but no injuries were reported.

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Greve is being charged with arson in the third degree and will be arraigned on July 3 at First District Court in Hempstead.


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