Man goes on arson spree in Rochester

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — A Rochester man is facing multiple charges following a spree of arsons he committed beginning on July 15.

Christopher Graves, 43, was arraigned in city court Thursday morning. He pleaded not guilty and was given $25,000 cash or bond bail.

On July 15, Gaves set a car on fire at 432 Alexander Street. The fire extended to the occupied 22-unit apartment building but was quickly extinguished.

During this incident, Graves stole keys from a Fire Chief’s parked vehicle on East Main Street.

Days later, on July 18, Graves set the same apartment building on fire—this time, due to the size of both the building and the rapid progression of the fire—went to a third alarm.

Graves is also responsible for three separate fires at different locations all within an hour of each other.

The Arson Task Force arrested the suspect on July 20 and charged him with the following:

• Arson in the second degree
• Two counts of arson in the third degree
• One count of arson in the fourth degree
• grand larceny
• obstruction of government authority in the second degree
• petit larceny

Graves is currently in Monroe County Jail.