Hempstead man arrested and charged in connection with Oceanside arson

Detectives with Nassau County's Arson Bomb Squad have arrested Alec Sapounas, 57, of Hempstead, in connection with an incident that occurred at 10:05 p.m. on Nov. 19, 2010, in Oceanside.

Police said Sapounas was working as a security guard on Hampton Road in Oceanside. On Nov. 19, the fire department responded to a suspicious truck fire that was later determined to be arson. Police said the incident caused approximately $12,000 in damage, and that suspicious vehicle fires had occurred in the past at the same site.

Sapounas was arrested on April 7 and charged with third degree arson. He was arraigned at First District Court in Hempstead on April 8. According to the District Attorney's Office, his bail was set at $80,000 bond or $40,000 cash. His next scheduled court appearance is April 12.