Police arrest suspects who tried to firebomb Garden City office bldg

Two Long Island men remain in custody after they were arraigned Friday – one, in a hospital bed – on charges of conspiracy to firebomb a government office building in Garden City last month.

The Uniondale Fire Department responded to an arson attempt outside 60 Charles Lindbergh Boulevard on Sept 17.Photo byC.J. Teevan

In sworn court filings, a Nassau County Police detective describes how Jason Anthony Reyes, 25, and James R. Luca, 46, went at 2 o’clock in the morning on Tuesday September 17, 2024, to the parking lot outside Nassau County Social Services Department on Charles Lindbergh Blvd., Garden City, and set up propane tanks “connected to an igniter for a torch”.

Investigators say Luca threw 3 flares at the propane tanks as they pulled out of the parking lot, trying “to get the propane tanks to explode and/or catch fire.”

The two men allegedly switched cars on Warren Street, East Meadow, and “fled the scene” in a different car.

Public records show the men live in a house in North Merrick.

Luca was arrested earlier this year on arson charges in a case that’s still open, court records show.

It is unclear if a “for profit” reference in the Felony Complaint indicates Reyes got paid for participating in the alleged arson.

However, public records document Luca's long history of arrests involving contempt, mischief, arson and blowing things up. Last July, police issued a press release announcing Luca's arrest for allegedly throwing a lighted flare onto the hood of his ex-wife’s car as it was parked in the driveway outside her house. She divorced him in 2020. That arson case is still open -- Luca is on the Mineola Criminal Court calendar for an appearance before Judge David Hoefenkrieg on October 16, 2024.

Reyes and Luca were both charged with Possession of an Explosive Device under New York Penal Law 265.04 01 and Attempted Arson for Profit under New York Penal Law PL 110-150.20 01 -- B Felonies; Possession of a Bomb under New York Penal Law 265.02 02 and Obstruction using a Bomb under PL 195.17 – D Felonies; Felony Conspiracy under PL 105.10 01; and traffic violations.

Reyes pleaded Not Guilty and was ordered held on $200,000 bail bond. He remains in custody in Block B at the county jail.

Luca's plea, and his medical status, remain unknown.

James Luca and Jayson Anthony Reyes are both charged with Attempted Arson 1st Degree and related Felonies.Photo byJoshua NewtononUnsplash