Kings County District Attorney Kenneth P. Thompson announced the indictment of Charles Diaz on Arson, Attempted Murder, and other related charges, for throwing a lit Molotov cocktail into a 24-hour mini-mart, causing the store to burn and injuring the clerk on duty. If convicted, he faces 25 years to life in prison on the top count.

“We will fully prosecute this defendant for his heinous actions that almost took the life of an innocent and hardworking man,” said District Attorney Ken Thompson.

According to court documents, at about 1:10 a.m. on April 23, 2014, Diaz allegedly went into the store located at 3901 Fort Hamilton Parkway demanding to buy a pack of cigarettes on credit. The store clerk on duty, Asif Butt, refused and Diaz angrily left. Video surveillance showed that Diaz returned about 45 minutes later with a flaming glass bottle containing flammable liquid, which he threw it into the store. When the bottle exploded, the clerk ran from the mini-mart with his clothes on fire. He sustained a laceration on his forehead above his left eye. The interior of the store burned from the ceiling to the floor, including merchandise.

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

Defendant Information:
Charles Diaz
DOB 02/05/79
Charges:
Arson in the First Degree
Attempted Murder in the Second Degree
Arson in the Second Degree
Attempted Assault in the First Degree
Assault in the Second Degree
Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree

(YWN Desk – NYC)