The man accused of setting several fires on the night of August 4 and 5 in the City of Tonawanda and North Tonawanda has agreed to a plea deal. Christopher Syracuse of Hinds Street was arrested on charges of arson for damage to five vehicle, eight houses, a dumpster and three garbage totes.
On Thursday, he agreed to a plea deal in Niagara County Court for starting three car fires, which translates to as much as a 10 to 20 year prison sentence. He did not admit to setting any buildings on fire, although several structures burned from flames spread by the car fires.
The plea deal means the case will not go to a grand jury. Syracuse will also be responsible for more than $422,000 in restitution for the damages caused by the fires.
One other fire set in the city of Tonawanda that night will come under Erie County court jurisdiction. Syracuse will be sentenced December 10.