Man admits to Rotterdam arsons Beer can DNA swabs key evidence in March fires
By PAUL NELSON, Staff writer Last updated: 7:37 p.m., Wednesday, November 12, 2008
ROTTERDAM — A 47-year-old man pleaded guilty today in Schenectady County Court to two arson counts for setting fires to three residences in Rotterdam in earlier this year, the district attorney's office said.
In each case, Michael Altheiser of Rotterdam used an accelerant -- at one scene it was contained in a beer can -- to start the fires at the dwellings overnight while people were asleep on March 25, police said. No one was injured, but one of the homeowners was forced to use towels, blankets and water to smother the blaze, officials said.
Altheiser is expected to receive a 16-year prison term when he's sentenced on Feb. 10.
Investigators from several law enforcement agencies collaborated on extensive forensic evidence from the crime scenes, including DNA swabs from the beer can, and Altheiser's home to build their case. Assistant District Attorney Jennifer De Stefano handled the case. Public Defender Sven Paul represented Altheiser.
Rotterdam police, the Fire Investigation Division of the Schenectady County Office of the Fire Coordinator, state Division of Criminal Justice Services and State Police and its Forensics Investigation Center worked on the case.
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