Arson Investigation

On Sunday, January 16^th, 2022 - the City of Batavia Police Department with the assistance of the City of Batavia Fire Department and CBFD Fire Investigators, conducted an investigation into a fire of a chair in the communal area of Washington Towers.

While in the infancy stages of the arson investigation, additional BPD Officers were dispatched to a larceny of a bicycle in the area of Bank St. Upon arrival BPD Officers were provided a description of the suspect from the larceny. BPD Officers arrested Matthew T. Zakrzewski, M/42, of Batavia, NY for Criminal Trespass 3^rd (PL 140.10), and Petit Larceny (PL 155.25). Upon taking Zakrzewski into custody, it was discovered that Zakrzewski also matched the description of the suspect in the arson investigation at Washington Towers. Zakrzewski was charged with Arson 2^nd (PL. 150.15); Attempted Arson 2^nd (PL. 150.15); Burglary 2^nd (PL. 140.25-02); Criminal Mischief 4^th (145.00-01).

Additionally, the City of Batavia Police Department also received a report of broken windows on a vehicle, where it was apparent there had been a fire inside of said vehicle. BPD Officers were able to ascertain video footage from the surrounding neighbors and identified Matthew Zakrzewski, breaking the window, entering the vehicle and starting a fire with contents from the vehicle prior to being taken into custody.

Matthew Zakrzewski, who is currently on NYS Parole, was arraigned in Batavia City Court on Monday, January 17, 2022 and remanded to the Genesee County Jail in-lieu of $50,000 A/$75,000 B/$150,000 E.

The Batavia Police Department would like to thank the City of Batavia Fire Department, the CBFD Fire Investigators, members of the Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center, NYS Parole and the citizens of Batavia for their assistance identifying Matthew Zakrzewski.

The investigation into these incidents is on-going, anyone that may have information in reference to either case should contact Detective Sergeant Lutey, Batavia Police Department at 585-345-6350, the confidential tip line at 585-345-6370 or online at http://www.batavianewyork.com/police-department/webforms/report-suspicious-drug-or-criminal-activity.