Police arrest three suspects in Congers arson spree

CONGERS – Three Congers men were arrested late last week in connection to a string of arson incidents in the Congers area over the past several months, according to Clarkstown Police.

The Clarkstown Detective Bureau identified Jesse Wickes, 33, Seth Levy, 30 and Kenneth Tagle, 39 as suspects in a string of about seven separate fires deliberately kindled in dumpsters, garbage cans and two cars. Nobody was injured as a result of the fires.

According to Clarkstown Officer Peter Walker, the motive behind the arson was not yet known, but the incidents appeared random. Walker added that the men were not homeless and looking for warmth and seem to know each other enough to act in concert.

Wickes and Levy were brought in on March 25, while Tagle was arrested on March 25. All three were charged with third-degree arson, a felony, and fourth-degree criminal mischief, a misdemeanor.

They were arraigned in the Clarkstown Justice Court and remanded to the custody of the Rockland County Jail on $5,000 bail each. Wickes and Levy will return to court on March 30 while Tagle will return on April 1.