The Third Squad reports that Michael Casanova, 26, of Hicksville was arrested Feb. 2.

According to police, the defendant has multiple charges as a result of a crime spree that began back on Jan. 10, 2007. At that time, Casanova, while employed at Aircraft Protective Systems in Westbury, allegedly stole 18 company payroll checks. Between Jan. 10 and Jan. 17 eight of the checks totaling $7,590 were cashed at local check-cashing establishments in Uniondale, Freeport, Roosevelt and Hicksville. The checks were issued in the defendant's name and the signature of the company's representative was forged.

Police allege that on Monday, Jan. 22 at about 3:15 a.m., the defendant, using his employee eye, illegally entered the Aircraft Protective Systems building and removed the desktop computers and a flat screen TV from an office. The property was valued in excess of $6,000. After removing these items from the building, Casanova allegedly returned with a metal container of a flammable solvent (methyl ethyl ketone), which he obtained from another location within the building. Casanova allegedly poured the liquid on the desk in the office, ignited it and left the premises. The subsequent fire was extinguished by the building's sprinkler system.

Employees notified the police when they arrived later that morning and the fire marshal and arson/bomb squad also responded to the scene.

According to police, on Jan. 31 between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. the defendant burglarized an unoccupied Hicksville dwelling by entering through an unlocked rear bathroom window. The defendant allegedly removed jewelry, a credit card and the victim's checkbook. At about 3:30 p.m. that same day, Casanova allegedly attempted unsuccessfully to cash one of the victim's checks at a check-cashing location in Roosevelt.

After an investigation involving the First, Second and Third Squads along with the Nassau County Fire Marshal's Office and Arson/Bomb Squad, Casanova was arrested on Feb. 2 at 5:35 p.m. in Hempstead. Casanova is charged with two counts of burglary - 2nd degree; one count of arson - 3rd degree; one count of grand larceny - 3rd degree; and three counts of forgery - 2nd degree. In addition he is also being charged with one count of unauthorized use of a vehicle - 3rd degree for taking a car, using it for 13 days without returning it to the victim. This investigation is continuing. He was arraigned at First District Court, Hempstead on Feb. 3.