Dereck Sumair, 23, has since been charged in connection with a number of alleged arsons. He was taken into custody after a police officer recognized him from a surveillance photo.
The fires happened at Burlington, Sears, Bed Bath and Beyond, Old Navy, Macy's, Target, Best Buy, JC Penny, TJMaxx, Staples and Toys R Us between last Friday and Monday afternoon.
Sumair, of Jamaica, Queens, was arraigned on two criminal complaints -- one charging him with 6 counts of second-degree arson, 7 counts of first-degree reckless endangerment, 1 count of second-degree criminal mischief, 1 count of third-degree criminal mischief, 4 counts of second-degree reckless endangerment, 7 counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief and 6 counts of fifth-degree arson.
He was charged in a separate complaint with 3 counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief for throwing rocks through the windows of Long Island Consultation Center in Queens on three occasions between December 19 - 26, 2013.
Sumar was ordered held without bail in order to undergo a psychological exam. His next court date is March 18, 2014.
No injuries were reported in any of the fires.
