NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — A Bronx man was arrested in connection with an arson fire inside a parked BMW at a New Rochelle garage earlier this month, authorities said.
New Rochelle police and fire officials responded to a vehicle fire at 325 Huguenot Street on February 16 at approximately 12:47 p.m. Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames inside a 2024 BMW, which belonged to a female resident of the building.
An investigation led detectives to identify the woman’s ex-husband, Hari Valdez, 34, as a suspect. On February 21, detectives secured a search warrant for his Bronx residence and the vehicle he allegedly used to flee the scene.
On February 25, detectives executed the warrant and arrested Valdez without incident.
Authorities also discovered that Valdez had six active arrest warrants in Croton, N.Y. After being released on his own recognizance by New Rochelle Court, he was transferred to the custody of Croton police.
The arrest follows a coordinated effort by multiple law enforcement agencies to hold Valdez accountable for the alleged arson.