Tag Archives: Arson

Hospitality Industry Employee Crime: New York Hotel Security Director Arrested For Arson After Setting A Series Of Small Fires In Hallways And Stairwells; “Working Vacation” While Hotel Was Shut Down For Repairs

“…(the suspect) was the director of security — and according to his  wife the fire safety director —- for the Yotel hotel near Times Square (and) Hospitality Industry Employee Crimeset a series of blazes that shut down the building for days, freeing him to get  liquored up on the job in guest rooms, FDNY sources said…(he) would light newspapers to set the rubbish fires late  at night or early in the morning while he was on duty…No one was injured in the  blazes, but the source said the small fires would also temporarily close the bars and  nightclubs inside…the hotel would then be  shut down for repairs, giving him a working vacation…”

City fire marshals arrested Barbosa, of West New York, N.J., on Friday,  charging him with setting five small rubbish blazes in the hallways, stairwells  and emergency exits at the Yotel on 10th Ave. over the past two years.

Before that, he allegedly set three fires at the Soho Grand Hotel on West  Broadway — where he worked as a security guard between 2009 and 2010 — including  one just before 3 a.m. on New Year’s Day that brought revelers’ celebrations to  an early close.

Wearing a dark navy suit and a white dress shirt, Barbosa was ordered held on  $50,000 bail. Manhattan prosecutors asked for $20,000, but the arraignment judge  upped the request.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/times-square-hotel-security-chief-arrested-setting-arson-fires-sources-article-1.1463370#ixzz2fdA5nlYl

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Filed under Crime, Guest Issues, Labor Issues, Liability, Management And Ownership

Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Wyoming Motel Fire Causes $14 Million In Damage; Man Indicted For Role In Starting Fire

“…The fire at the historic motel, located at 1700 W. Lincolnway, destroyed guest rooms, a restaurant, the lobby and the bar. It caused about $14 million in property damage. Lodging buildings didn’t burn. It was determined that the fire was set intentionally…”

A New Mexico man has been indicted for his alleged involvement with the Sept. 15, 2010, fire at the Hitching Post Inn here. Robert Rodriguez, 44, was indicted by a Wyoming federal grand jury Friday, according to a release from the Wyoming district of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The two-count indictment says Rodriguez maliciously damaged and destroyed the Hitching Post by means of  fire. It also says he used fire to aid and abet mail and wire fraud. It is  unclear from the release whether charges have been filed. Rodriguez is being  detained without bail.

The investigation into the fire is ongoing, the release says. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is leading
the investigation with help from the Cheyenne Police Department and Cheyenne Fire and Rescue.

City officials closed the motel in September 2009, citing safety concerns and code violations.

CJM Hospitality bought the property from New Jersey-based Matiff Cheyenne Hospitality in the wake of Matiff filing for Chapter 11
bankruptcy protection.

The 10.82-acre property was appraised for more than $6 million. At the time of the fire, CJM was putting in $500,000
worth of renovations. Representatives said they planned to reopen the west side of the structure and two unattached buildings.

For more: http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2012/09/29/news/01top_09-29-12.txt

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Filed under Fire, Insurance, Liability, Management And Ownership