Livingston Co. Man Charged with Burning Down Girlfriend’s She-Shed
Written by Dan Fischer on August 20, 2019
Michael Beach
News Release
LEICESTER: Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty reports the arrest of a Leicester NY man on felony charges after an investigation by the Sheriff’s Office.
On August 19, 2019 at approximately 12:30 am, Sheriff’s Deputies responded to an address on New Road in the Town of Leicester for a reported shed fire. Leicester and Cuylerville Fire Departments also responded to the scene and extinguished the fire but not before major damage to the shed and contents occurred.
The ensuing investigation by Sheriff’s Deputies revealed that the incident started when 61 year old Michael A. Beach, who resides at the residence, became upset with his girlfriend who also lives at the residence. It is further alleged that Beach damaged his girlfriend’s vehicle and then used his truck to ram the steps of the residence. Beach then threw several cigarette butts into the shed which caused the fire.
Beach was arrested and charged with felony Arson in the 4th Degree and felony Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree.
Beach was later arraigned at the Livingston County Centralized Arraignment Part (LC-CAP) at the Livingston County Jail before Village of Dansville Justice Scott Kenney. The Judge did remand Beach to the custody of the Sheriff on $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 bond.
Investigating the incident for the Sheriff’s Office were Sheriff’s Investigator Gene Chichester, Deputy William Clarke, and Deputy Caleb Cutting from the Forensic Identification Unit (FIU).
