Siena College student arraigned on arson charges
LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Albany County District Attorney's Office announced that a Siena College student was indicted in an arson case on Monday. Joshua Thomas, 19, of Saratoga, was arraigned before Judge Roger McDonough on two counts of second-degree arson and one count of second-degree attempted arson.
Thomas, a freshmen at Siena, is accused of using rubbing alcohol and a lighter to start a fire outside a dorm room at Hines Hall around 3 a.m. on April 25. Two other students were reportedly sleeping in the room at the time of the blaze.
Thomas allegedly then set two other fires on the building's fourth floor, one in a common area and the other in a bathroom stall. The ensuing investigation by Colonie Police resulted in Thomas being identified as a suspect and taken into custody.
Thomas pleaded not guilty to all charges on May 5. He was held at the Albany County Jail after his arraignment. Assistant District Attorney Stephen Lydon is handling the case's prosecution.
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