NEW ROCHELLE, NY — A reported arson incident occurred at the Drake Main Café, located at 1 Drake Avenue, on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at approximately 12:47 AM. New Rochelle Police responded to the scene following a report of the incident.
According to the café’s owner, a dispute earlier in the evening between the arson suspect and the café staff led to the suspect initially leaving the premises. The individual later returned with a gas can, allegedly pouring gasoline on the café’s exterior walls and entryway before setting it on fire and attempting to flee.
The quick actions of the bar owner helped extinguish the fire rapidly, preventing injuries and significant damage. Police officers responding to the incident apprehended the suspect while they were attempting to flee the scene in an Uber.
The suspect was identified as Freissy Batista-Pereya, 32, of the Bronx.
The suspect was taken into custody without further incident.