By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2026-10-15 20:36:18 | Updated at 2026-10-15 21:20:36
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A bozo bar patron copped to lighting a Long Island watering hole on fire after he was kicked out for snapping an unsolicited photo of a worker, according to authorities
Paul Lucia, 60, of Islip, pleaded guilty to arson and a slew of other charges on Tuesday for intentionally setting Riley Fibbers Pub & Restaurant in East Islip ablaze last November, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office announced.
Lucia was at the casual neighborhood spot on the evening of Nov. 20, 2025, when he took a picture of a staff member, according to prosecutors.
When workers told him to leave for the creepy snapshot, Lucia became “irate” and drove away in a white Jeep, officials said.
Paul Lucia, 60, of Islip Terrace, pleaded guilty to setting fire to Riley Fibbers in East Islip after being asked to leave the bar by staff members. Suffolk County District AttorneySurveillance footage revealed the heated pub-goer returning to Riley Fibbers with a gas can and a lighter roughly two hours later — dumping accelerant from the can behind the restaurant while it was still full of staff and patrons.
Moments later, flames erupted at the bar, and Lucia tossed the gas can over the fence onto another property, authorities said.
Riley Fibbers suffered fire damage to an outside awning and the kitchen, but no one was injured in the arson. Google MapsHe then sped off in the Jeep, which prosecutors said had license plates that were reported stolen a week earlier.
Riley Fibbers suffered fire damage to an outside awning and the kitchen, but no one was injured in the arson.
Detectives later recovered a cap from the gas can in a flowerpot outside the bar, and the can on the neighboring property.
The next day, Suffolk County cops busted Lucia as he cruised down Sunrise Highway in the same white Jeep. They also discovered the lighter used in the bar fire in the car.
He pleaded guilty on Tuesday to second-degree Arson, third-degree Arson, and two counts of fifth-degree criminal arson, prosecutors said.
“The defendant admitted to intentionally setting fire to a local business, risking the lives of staff and patrons inside,” District Attorney Tierney said in a statement.
“Violent crimes such as this will never be tolerated. The prison term he now faces holds the defendant accountable for what could have easily turned into an enormous tragedy.”
Lucia is slated to return to court on Nov. 12, where he faces up to 10 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision.
