East Islip Man Accused Of Setting Fire To Restaurant After Being Asked To Leave: Police

EAST ISLIP, NY — A man was arrested after he set part of an East Islip restaurant on fire Thursday evening, Suffolk County police said.

A 911 caller reported a fire at Riley Fibbers, located at 148 Carleton Ave., at about 7:30 p.m., according to police. The restaurant was evacuated, and no injuries were reported, police said.

After an investigation, Arson Squad detectives identified Paul Lucia as the patron who set a back area of the building on fire after staff asked him to leave, police said. Officers later found Lucia in a vehicle that had stolen license plates, according to police.

Lucia, 60, of Islip Terrace, was arrested around 12:15 p.m. Friday at the Third Precinct, police said. He was charged with 2nd degree Arson and 5th degree Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, according to police.

Lucia was held overnight and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Nov. 22, police said.