DA: Cigarette Thief Torched Popular Diner

Source from:  Northcountrygazette.org Monday, 10 of November 11/12/2008

A 42-year-old Whitestone man has been charged with arson, reckless endangerment and burglary after allegedly breaking into a diner to steal cigarettes and then setting a fire that virtually destroyed the neighborhood eatery. Michael P. Trantel, 42, of 15-29 159th Street in Whitestone, has been charged with third and fourth-degree arson, first-degree reckless endangerment, third-degree burglary, fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and petit larceny. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison. He was arraigned before Queens Criminal Court Judge Robert Raciti who ordered Trantel held without bail. His next court date is Nov. 25. "The defendant is charged with setting a fire that destroyed a popular business and extensive damage to neighboring stores" Queens district attorney Richard A. Brown said. "The fire could easily have caused serious injuries or death to firefighters charged with fighting the blaze or any people who may have been inside or around the building." According to Brown, at about 1 a.m., on Nov. 2, inside of the Lollipop Diner located at 153-31 Cross Island Parkway North, the defendant allegedly stole some cigarettes and a lighter after breaking a window to gain access to the diner, then set a bag of Halloween candy on fire using the stolen lighter. The diner was closed for business at the time of the fire. Brown said that, according to court papers, Trantel first approached a security guard at the diner and asked for a cigarette, but the guard would not give him one. He then allegedly saw a pack in the diner so he kicked in the window and grabbed a pack of cigarettes and a green lighter. He then allegedly used the lighter to set fire to a bag of Halloween candy that was in a cardboard box, took some more cigarettes, and then left the same way he had entered. Surveillance video of the diner shows the defendant outside the diner, as well as entering from the front of the diner and exiting from the rear, according to court papers. The fire caused extensive smoke, flame and water damage to the entire diner. Enditem