Caleb Ganzer, 35, was caught red-handed when CCTV cameras set fire to timber structures in two restaurants in January and July, the New York City Fire Department said today.
This type of structures proliferated during the pandemic on the streets of the city so that people could enjoy the space without being indoors.
Ganzer was also filmed in June setting fire to a pile of trash. All three incidents occurred between midnight and 4:30 am.
The first incident occurred on July 13, when Gantser set fire to a wooden structure. After the arrest, the firefighters became aware of the connection with two other fires, caused in the same way: one on January 8 and the other on June 26.
Sommelier of the Year by Food and Wine magazine in 2017, Gantzer was charged with two counts of aggravated arson and other crimes including recklessness.
The motives of Ganzer, managing partner of the luxury New York wine bar Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels, have not been disclosed.
“Fortunately, no one was injured in these incidents and the suspect was detained before he could start another fire,” said Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro.
