Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Brooklyn Landlord Accused Of Starting Fire To Intimidate Tenant Over Late Rent
By
Ben Yakas
Published Oct 29, 2015
Modified Oct 29, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Oct 29, 2015
Modified Oct 29, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A Williamsburg landlord has been accused of starting a fire outside a tenant's apartment as an intimidation tactic to scare up some late rent.
The NY Post reports that landlord Yehuda Herskovic has been charged with second-degree arson and more than a dozen other crimes for placing a piece of cardboard in front of tenant Moses Greenfeld's apartment at 356 Marcy Avenue last November, and then allegedly setting it on fire.
According to a copy of the criminal complaint obtained by the Post, Herskovic sent Greenfeld a series of threatening, typo-ridden texts before the fire started, implicating himself in the crime: “By 4 [o’clock] you will not be able to liv [sic],” Herskovic allegedly wrote. "In apartment, don’t many [sic] any mistake. Iam [sic] sirios [sic] two minutes is up … I am almost their [sic], I am here, I have put on fire."
The fire scorched the doorway of the apartment and singed a doormat, but didn't make it inside the apartment. Greenfeld, who was home at the time, claims he saw Herskovic start it himself. The alleged arsonist was working as a representative for Naftali Steinmetz, the owner of the building at 356 Marcy Avenue (a source says he was "collecting rents"). Herskovic went on the lam for the last year before turning himself in to FDNY fire marshals Monday.
Amazingly, this is only the third or fourth scariest story of alleged landlord intimidation and sabotage we've come across—at least he didn't take an axe to the boiler.
Tagged
arson
brooklyn
fire
landlords
rent
williamsburg
Yehuda Herskovic
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Bronx man indicted for murder in fatal bodega shooting
Prosecutors say Jesus Acosta shot and killed Tayvon Shuler, then robbed the East 149th Street store last month.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Sep 29, 2026 at 7:44 p.m. ET
Mamdani must redo his pied-à-terre tax rollout, NY judge orders
A Staten Island judge ruled against the city in a lawsuit challenging the rollout of the new tax, a day after a billionaire casino mogul sued to invalidate it.
By
David Brand
News
Mamdani must redo his pied-à-terre tax rollout, NY judge orders
A Staten Island judge ruled against the city in a lawsuit challenging the rollout of the new tax, a day after a billionaire casino mogul sued to invalidate it.
By
David Brand
NYC eyes higher fines for owners of dirty vacant lots, abandoned construction sites
By
Liam Quigley
NJ Gov. Sherrill vetoes 2 bills meant to give strapped Jersey City more revenue tools
By
Michael Sol Warren
Brooklyn residents displaced after facade falls off neighboring building amid nor'easter
By
Catalina Gonella
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .