Homeless woman arrested for arson in West Hempstead

Nassau County police arrested a homeless woman for arson at Sam's Caribbean Marketplace in West Hempstead on May 31.

According to police, at about 1 a.m. on Sunday night, Melanie Nieves was caught on security video lighting  a fire using available materials that she placed against the rear exterior of the store. Police arrested her without incident shortly after they reviewed the video.

Nieves, 24, was also found to be responsible for the following other arsons:

-Sunrise Car Wash, 1820 Sunrise Hwy. Merrick,  March 28

-Residence garbage fire at 92 Central Blvd., Merrick, March 28

-Apartment hallway fire at 282 Hempstead Tpke., West. Hempstead, April 14

-Residence daycare center at 175 Warner Ave., Roslyn, April 30

-Residence garbage fire, 110 Main Street, Roslyn, April 30

-Florist Shop at 535 Hempstead Tpke., West Hempstead, May 17

-Nail salon trash fire at 493 Hempstead Tpke., West Hempstead, May 17

-Mahrose Salon trash fire,  at 507 Hempstead Tpke., West Hempstead, May 17

-Residence porch fire, at 252 Parker Ave., West Hempstead, May 17

Nieves was charged with  two  counts of second-degree arson; six counts of third-degree arson and three counts of fifth-degree arson. She was arraigned in Mineola on Monday.