Newfane man charged with arson after allegedly throwing Molotov cocktail at Albion residence

Press Release, Albion Police Chief David Mogle

Marquis Harrell

ALBION – During the early morning hours on Saturday, the Albion Police Department arrested a Newfane man following a domestic violence investigation that resulted in the discovery of an incendiary device at a village residence.

At approximately 3 a.m., Albion police officers were dispatched to make a phone call to a village resident after they reported receiving multiple threatening text messages and emails from her ex-boyfriend. The messages included threats to harm the victim and set her residence on fire by way of Molotov cocktail.

During the investigation, officers confirmed that a valid full stay away order of protection was in effect, prohibiting the suspect from having any contact with the victim.

At approximately 4 a.m., an Albion Police K-9 Officer responded to the victim’s residence to continue the investigation and check the area for suspicious activity. Upon arrival, the officer observed a suspicious vehicle parked outside the apartment complex and requested additional officers to investigate the vehicle while he continued toward the residence.

As the K-9 Officer approached the apartment complex, he observed a male exiting from the rear of the property who immediately fled on foot. After a brief pursuit through the area, the suspect was apprehended without incident at a neighboring apartment complex. The suspicious vehicle was later determined to be the suspect’s Uber transportation to the scene.

Officers subsequently discovered a suspected Molotov cocktail at the rear of the victim’s residence that had been ignited and thrown at the building. Although the device had burned itself out prior to officers’ arrival, officers observed fire damage to the residence.

The suspect was identified as Marquis J. Harrell, 22, of Newfane, New York. A search of the suspect resulted in the recovery of additional evidence related to the investigation.

Harrell was charged with:

• Arson in the First Degree (A1 Felony)
• Criminal Mischief in the First Degree (B Felony)
• Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree (4 counts) (D Felony)
• Endangering the Welfare of a Child (2 counts) (A Misdemeanor)
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (D Felony)
• Criminal Contempt (2 counts) (E Felony)

Following processing by the Albion Police Department, Harrell was arraigned in CAP Court and remanded to the Orleans County Jail without bail due to the seriousness of the charges.

A new order of protection was issued protecting the victim and her two young children, who were inside the residence at the time of the incident.

The Albion Police Department would like to thank the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol and Dispatch Divisions for their assistance during the investigation, as well as Orleans County District Attorney Susan Howard for her support throughout the case.

Criminal charges are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.