Arrest Made in Ithaca College Fires Investigation

ITHACA, NY — The Ithaca College Office of Public Safety arrested a student on Monday, Dec. 7, in connection with a series of suspicious early-morning fires outside campus residence halls this fall. Alexander Carfi, 18, a freshman from Roslyn Heights, New York, has been charged with one count of 4th degree arson, a class E felony, along with a misdemeanor count each of criminal mischief and reckless endangerment. He was arraigned in Town of Ithaca Court and released on his own recognizance.Since the beginning of the fall semester, seven separate fires have been reported in trash and recycling bins adjacent to Emerson Hall and Lower Quad residence halls. No one has been injured, but the fires have resulted in the destruction of the receptacles.The charges against Carfi are in connection with a fire on Monday, Nov. 9, which was reported at 2:58 a.m. and caused damage to the northern exterior of Emerson Hall. In consultation with the office of the Tompkins County District Attorney, four counts of 5th degree arson, a misdemeanor, are also pending against Carfi for the following fires: * Monday, Sept. 7, 4:14 a.m., north side of Emerson Hall * Wednesday, Sept. 9, 12:29 a.m., north side of Emerson Hall * Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2:36 a.m., east side of Landon Hall * Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2:45 a.m., west side of Clarke HallSuspicious fires were also reported on the following dates: * Monday, Oct. 5, 12:18 a.m., fire lane between Landon Hall and Bogart Hall * Thursday, Oct. 22, 3:47 a.m., east side of Eastman HallCarfi, who was a resident of Emerson Hall, has been removed from campus. The investigation, which has been conducted with assistance from the Ithaca Fire Department, is continuing and additional criminal charges are possible.Anyone having information pertaining to any of these incidents is encouraged to contact the Office of Public Safety at 607-274-3333, or to leave an anonymous voice mail message at 607-274-1060.Members of the campus community are reminded to call immediately to report suspicious circumstances or activity to the Office of Public Safety.