Williamsburg landlord rep arraigned on arson charges

When a tenant failed to pay rent, Yehuda Hershovic allegedly set a fire outside his apartment

356 Marcy Avenue in Williamsburg
356 Marcy Avenue in Williamsburg

When a tenant at a three-story Williamsburg building refused to cough up past due rent, Yehuda Herskovic allegedly set a fire outside his apartment.

Herskovic was arraigned this week on over a dozen charges including second-degree arson, a felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison. He gave himself up Monday after a year on the lam.

The alleged arsonist was working as a representative for Naftali Steinmetz, the owner of the building at 356 Marcy Avenue.

According to the criminal complaint, Herskovic sent a series of text messages to Moses Greenfield, a resident of the building, the New York Post reported.

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“By 4 [o’clock] you will not be able to liv [sic],” he allegedly wrote. “In apartment, don’t many [sic] any mistake. Iam [sic] sirios [sic] two minutes is up … I am almost their [sic], I am here, I have put on fire.”

Herskovic allegedly placed cardboard in front of Greenfield’s door and lit it on fire. The blaze scorched the doorway and singed the doormat, but caused no other damage or injuries.

The alleged firebug was released on $3,000 cash bail.

Delshah Capital’s 221 West 17th development went up in flames last week. The developer plans to rebuild. [NYP]Ariel Stulberg