Long Island's Fire Nightmare Ends: Suspect Arrested After Molotov Cocktail Rampage

For a terrifying stretch of 36 hours, residents across several Suffolk County communities on Long Island found themselves on edge, caught in the grip of an unsettling fire spree. It wasn't just isolated incidents; it was a relentless series of attacks, leaving a trail of destruction and a collective sigh of relief when authorities finally announced an arrest.

Police have now taken into custody 38-year-old Andrew Salko, pointing to him as the individual responsible for igniting numerous blazes with chillingly simple yet effective homemade Molotov cocktails. Imagine the fear: a bottle, some flammable liquid, a rag — suddenly a potent weapon capable of immense damage, wielded by someone seemingly determined to cause chaos.

The spree, stretching from the evening hours of Thursday right through Saturday morning, didn't discriminate much. Properties in Patchogue, North Patchogue, East Patchogue, and Medford bore the brunt of these attacks. We're talking about boats, sheds, vehicles – ordinary possessions suddenly engulfed in flames, often in the dead of night. It's truly shocking to think about the sheer audacity of someone repeatedly committing such acts.

Reports indicate a chilling pattern: a shed here, a boat there, a car on fire, all seemingly targeted with these crude incendiary devices. It speaks to a certain brazenness, a disregard for safety and property that must have left neighbors wondering who would do such a thing and why. Thankfully, despite the widespread damage, authorities have confirmed that no one was physically injured during this dangerous rampage.

It's a testament to good old-fashioned police work that the Suffolk County Police Arson Squad, working closely with the Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers, managed to track down and apprehend a suspect. Can you imagine the pressure they were under, knowing this individual was out there, potentially ready to strike again? Their swift action undoubtedly prevented further devastation across our communities.

Salko now faces a mountain of charges, including a staggering 10 counts of arson, 10 counts of criminal possession of a weapon – specifically, those dangerous Molotov cocktails – and an additional charge of criminal mischief. It's a significant legal battle ahead for him, but for the affected communities, there's finally a sense of peace, a return to normalcy, knowing the person behind the flames has been caught and is off the streets.