Aleksey Bushmich, 32, of Spencer, has been charged by the Tioga county Sheriff’s office with Arson in the third degree, a class C Felony: Burglary in the third degree, a class D Felony; Criminal Contempt in the first degree, a class E Felony; and Criminal Mischief in the second degree.
On August 10 at about 7:27 PM, the Tioga County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call of a possible arson and structure fire of a business on Ithaca Road in the Town of Spencer. The preliminary investigation revealed the fire appeared suspicious and subsequent interviews and follow-ups led to the information that an a structure fire at the Gospel Church of Ithaca at 1435 Danby Road, Ithaca, was also suspicious and similar in nature.
During the course of the investigation it was further determined that Bushmich was involved with and responsible for setting both reported structure fires. Additional charges are pending against Bushmich in connection to the arson investigation at the Gospel Church of Ithaca. which was conducted by the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI).
Also during the course of the investigation it was further determined that Bushmich was also involved in ongoing family offenses and criminal complaints throughout the Town of Spencer. This resulted in additional charges of:
- 2 counts of Grand Larceny in the fourth degree, class E Felonies,
- 4 counts of Criminal Contempt in the second degree, class A Misdemeanors,
- three counts of Petit Larceny, class A Misdemeanors,
- Criminal Mischief in the fourth degree, a class A Misdemeanor.
The defendant was arraigned before Justice Patrick Hogan, who was sitting as the Tioga County CAP Court Justice. Bushmich was remanded to the Tioga County Jail on $25,000 bail or $50,000 bond. The defendant is scheduled to appear in front of Justice Patrick Hogan in the Town of Owego Court at a later date.
The Tioga County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by:
- New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Identification Unit,
- Ithaca Police Department,
- New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control,
- Spencer Fire Department and Spencer EMS,
- Candor Fire Department,
- Owego Fire Department,
- Halsey Valley Fire Department,
- West Danby and Dandy Fire Departments,
- Tioga County Fire Investigation Team.
