(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Constantine Sackos, 59, of Holtsville, was indicted for Arson in the Third Degree for allegedly intentionally setting a fire at the Pazzo Ristorante and Wood Fired Pizzeria in Wading River.
“This was a brazen act of alleged arson that could have resulted in tragedy,” said District Attorney Tierney. “I am grateful for the outstanding work of our first responders who quickly contained the blaze, and for the meticulous investigation conducted by my team, the Riverhead Town Police Department, the Fire Marshals, and the Suffolk County Police Department Arson Squad. Their dedication to protecting our community and bringing this defendant to justice is commendable.”
According to the investigation, on November 18, 2025, at approximately 1:57 a.m., a 911 call was received reporting a fire at the Pazzo Ristorante and Wood Fired Pizzeria in Wading River. Members of the Riverhead Town Police Department and several local fire departments responded to the location and contained the fire.
After approximately two hours, the fire was extinguished and a joint investigation involving the Riverhead Town Police Department, the Riverhead Fire Marshal, the Suffolk County Fire Marshal, and the Suffolk County Police Department Arson Squad ensued.
The fire was deemed criminal after investigators discovered seven points of origin and a bottle of charcoal lighter fluid at the scene.
As a result of a comprehensive investigation comprised of the various law enforcement agencies and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Sackos was developed as a suspect. It was determined that Sackos had been recently terminated from his employment with the Pazzo Ristorante and Wood Fired Pizzeria and had visited the owner’s residence on multiple occasions, both before and after the fire, demanding money for back pay.
An extensive video canvass revealed that, on November 17, 2025, several hours before the fire, Sackos allegedly loaded a bicycle into his Jeep, left his home, and drove to Stop and Shop in Farmingville, where he allegedly obtained a bottle of Kingsford Charcoal Lighter Fluid consistent with that which was recovered at the scene.
Sackos allegedly returned home after he obtained the charcoal lighter fluid but subsequently left again in his Jeep, at approximately 11:14 p.m. The investigation revealed that the Jeep made its way to the vicinity of the entrance to the North Shore Rail Trail in Mount Sinai.
At approximately 12:38 a.m., an individual consistent in appearance with Sackos rode a bicycle, consistent with the one Sackos loaded into his Jeep, from the exit to the North Shore Rail Trail in the direction of the Pazzo Ristorante and Wood Fired Pizzeria in Wading River.
Video surveillance showed that at 1:50 a.m., an individual consistent in appearance with Sackos exited the Pazzo Ristorante and Wood Fired Pizzeria through the rear of the restaurant, as smoke billowed from the location. At approximately 1:57 a.m., this same individual was observed riding a bicycle, consistent with the one Sackos allegedly loaded into his Jeep, away from the direction of the pizzeria. At approximately 2:05 a.m., this same individual was observed riding back in the direction of the pizzeria before fleeing a second time.
Further video canvass revealed that several hours later, at approximately 5:05 a.m., Sackos arrived back home in his Jeep.
At approximately 9:07 a.m., Sackos was observed unloading his bicycle, which was consistent with that observed in the vicinity of the fire, from his Jeep and placing it in his garage.
On November 20, 2025, a search warrant was executed at the defendant’s residence in Holtsville where clothing, consistent with that which was observed on surveillance video, was recovered. Subsequently, a K9 accelerant dog indicated the presence of accelerants on the recovered clothing.
On January 28, 2025, following the comprehensive investigation, which included the execution of numerous search warrants, the collection of extensive surveillance video, and the collaboration of several law enforcement agencies, an indictment was secured and Sackos was placed under arrest.
On January 28, 2026, Sackos was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewski for the following charges:
- One count of Arson in the Third Degree, a Class C felony;
- Burglary in the Third Degree, a Class D felony;
- Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree, a Class D felony; and
- Petit Larceny.
Justice Pilewski ordered Sackos to be placed on supervised release with GPS conditions without bail because his charges are considered non-bail eligible under current New York State law, meaning prosecutors cannot ask for, and judges cannot set, bail. Sackos is due back in court on February 26, 2026, and faces 5 to 15 years in prison if convicted on the top count. He is being represented by Anthony Lapinta, Esq.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Syl-Don O’Gilvie with assistance from Paralegal Emily Lonigro of the Major Crime Bureau. The investigation was conducted by Detective Sean Evans of the Riverhead Town Police and Detective James Pase of the Suffolk County Police Department Arson Squad.