HAMPTON BAYS, N.Y. — An East Quogue woman accused of trying to set fire to three homes in Hampton Bays and then rob a Dollar Tree at knifepoint was charged Tuesday, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.
Amanda Burnside, 41, of East Quogue, was charged with second-degree arson after she tried to set fire to three homes in Hampton Bays in November, Tierney said. Burnside was previously charged with arson and attempted arson and was released from jail without bond by a judge, Tierney said.
Within two hours of being released, Burnside then tried to steal money from a cash register at knifepoint at a Dollar Store in Hampton Bays, the DA said.
On Nov. 12, Burnside was arrested by Southampton police after he allegedly tried to set the three houses on fire, the DA said. On Nov. 13, Burnside was arraigned in Southampton Town Court on one count of second-degree arson, a violent felony, and two counts of second-degree attempted arson, a violent felony, Tierney said.
At that court hearing, the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office requested that Burnside be held on $500,000 cash bail, $1 million bond and $1.5 million partially secured bond, Tierney said.
The court released Burnside without bail and ordered her to report for supervised release within 72 hours, the DA said.
Two hours after she was released from trial on charges related to the arson, Burnside allegedly walked into the Dollar Tree store in Hampton Bays, grabbed a knife and demanded money from one of the cashiers, Tierney said.
When members of the Southampton Police Department arrived, they found Burnside inside the store, next to one of the cash registers, and arrested her, Tierney said.
On November 30, Burnside was arraigned before the Deputy Supreme Court
Judge Steven A. Pilewski on charges of attempted robbery in the first degree, a violent felony. third-degree attempted robbery, a felony. and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a misdemeanor, Tierney said.
Judge Pilewski ordered Burnside held on $500,000 cash, $1 million bond or $1.5 million
partially secured bond during the pendency of the case, Tierney said.
On December 19, Burnside was indicted on the one-count charges
second-degree arson, a violent felony, and two counts of attempted second-degree arson, violent felonies, Tierney said. Judge Pilewski also ordered a mental evaluation be performed on her, the DA said.
Burnside is due back in court for both cases on January 17, 2024 and is being represented by
Melissa Aguanno, Esq., who could not immediately be reached for comment.
“This defendant endangered the residents of Suffolk County by attempting to set fire to homes,” Tierney said. “To make matters worse, the defendant was released from prison for these crimes, which put more lives at risk. My office will not stand by and allow individuals to commit crimes without being held accountable for their actions We will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.”
