Woman Who Tried To Set Three LI Homes On Fire Indicted: DA

HAMPTON BAYS, NY —An East Quogue woman who stands accused of trying to set three homes on fire in Hampton Bays and then rob a Dollar Tree at knife point was indicted Tuesday, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.

Amanda Burnside, 41, of East Quogue, was indicted on the charge of second-degree arson after she attempted to set three homes on fire in Hampton Bays in November, Tierney said. Burnside was previously arraigned on arson and attempted arson charges and released from jail without bail by the arraignment judge, Tierney said.

Within two hours of release, Burnside then attempted to steal money from a cashier at knife point at a Dollar Store in Hampton Bays, the DA said.

On November 12, Burnside was arrested by Southampton Town police after reportedly trying to set fire to the three homes, the DA said. On November 13, Burnside was arraigned before the Southampton Town Justice Court, on one count of second-degree arson, a violent felony, and two counts of second-degree attempted arson, a violent felony, Tierney said.

At that arraignment, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office requested that Burnside be held in custody on bail in the amount of $500,000 cash, $1 million bond, and $1.5 million partially secured bond, Tierney said.

The court released Burnside without bail and instructed her to report for supervised release within 72 hours, the DA said.

Two hours after she was released following the arraignment on the arson-related charges, Burnside reportedly entered the Dollar Tree store in Hampton Bays, grabbed a knife, and demanded money from one of the cashiers, Tierney said.

When members of the Southampton Police Department arrived, they found Burnside inside the store, still next to one of the cash registers, and they placed her under arrest, Tierney said.

On November 30, Burnside was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court
Justice Steven A. Pilewski on the charges of first-degree attempted robbery, a violent felony; third-degree attempted robbery, a felony; and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a misdemeanor, Tierney said.

Justice Pilewski ordered Burnside be held on $500,000 cash, $1 million bond, or $1.5 million
partially secured bond during the pendency of the case, Tierney said.

On December 19, Burnside was arraigned on the indictment for the charges of one count of
second-degree arson, a violent felony, and two counts of second-degree attempted arson, violent felonies, Tierney said. Justice Pilewski also ordered a mental examination to be conducted on her, the DA said.

Burnside is due back in court for both matters on January 17, 2024, and is being represented by
Melissa Aguanno, Esq., who could not immediately be reached for comment.

"This defendant put Suffolk County residents in danger by allegedly attempting to set homes on fire," Tierney said. "What made matters even worse, the defendant was released from jail for those crimes, which put more lives at risk. My office will not stand by and allow individuals to commit crimes without being held accountable for their actions. We will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law."