A Brooklyn man has been indicted on arson, burglary and animal cruelty charges after allegedly breaking into a family member’s Central Islip home and setting it on fire, killing two dogs inside, Suffolk County prosecutors said.
Robert Alston, 39, allegedly entered the home through a kitchen window shortly before midnight on Oct. 2, 2026, and deliberately ignited combustible materials, causing extensive damage to the residence, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney.
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The homeowner was not home at the time, but two pet dogs, a German shepherd and a Maltese, were inside. Both animals died from smoke inhalation and exposure to toxic combustion products, prosecutors said.
According to the investigation, Alston also allegedly destroyed two Ring security cameras before starting the fire.
After leaving the residence, Alston was stopped by Suffolk County police a few blocks away and initially provided officers with a false name, prosecutors said.
Necropsies conducted at Cornell University’s Animal Health Diagnostic Center determined that both dogs’ deaths were consistent with smoke inhalation and exposure to toxic combustion products, resulting in a lack of oxygen throughout their bodies.
“This defendant allegedly broke into and then set fire to a family member’s home in Central Islip late at night,” Tierney said. “Thankfully, the family member was not present in the home at the time, but these alleged actions unfortunately took the lives of the family member’s two pet dogs.”
Alston was arraigned Oct. 29 before Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins on charges of second-degree burglary, third-degree arson, two counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, four counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief, two counts of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals, and one count of false personation.
Collins continued Alston’s bail at $100,000 cash, $200,000 bond or $500,000 partially secured bond. The judge also prohibited him from owning or possessing animals while the case is pending.
Alston faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the top charge. He is scheduled to return to court Nov. 23 and is represented by the Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Syl-Don O’Gilvie of the Major Crime Bureau and Brooke Salvatore of the Biological, Environmental, and Animal Safety Team.
Detective James Oresto of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Arson Section conducted the investigation. The Central Islip Fire Department also responded to the incident.
Alston is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
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