Medford volunteer firefighter arrested for allegedly setting brush fire

Suffolk County Police arrested a Medford Fire Department volunteer firefighter on Nov. 13 for allegedly intentionally setting a brush fire in Medford.

Jonathan Quiles was observed by a witness allegedly intentionally set a fire in a wooded area on Mount Vernon Avenue at approximately 3:35 p.m. on November 12. The fire also damaged a 2004 Chevrolet parked nearby.

Following an investigation by Arson Section detectives, Quiles, 20, of Medford, was charged with Arson 4th Degree, Arson 5th Degree and Reckless Endangerment 2nd Degree. He was scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on the same day.

Regarding the arrest, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney released a statement around 2 p.m.on Nov. 13 stating, “Unfortunately, under New York’s “Bail Reform,” intentionally setting fires in the midst of the dangerously dry conditions and a statewide burn ban are not bail eligible offenses, meaning my prosecutors cannot even ask for bail on these charges. Our New York lawmakers need to get their
act together and pass common sense fixes to a broken bail system.”