EAST QUOGUE DEFENDANT INDICTED FOR ATTEMPTED ROBBERY IN THE FIRST DEGREE

(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Amanda Burnside, 41, of East Quogue, was indicted for Attempted Robbery in the First Degree and other related charges, after allegedly attempting to forcibly steal money from a Dollar Tree store cashier while displaying a knife. Two hours earlier, Burnside was arraigned for arson and attempted arson charges, and released from jail without bail by the arraignment judge.

“This defendant clearly posed a threat to society after allegedly trying to set three homes ablaze that day,” said District Attorney Tierney. “I cannot stress enough that the laws surrounding bail with respect to public safety are flawed and need to be fixed. Keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe remains my number one priority and I will continue to push for change. New York is the only state that does not allow for judges to consider danger to the community in setting bail.”

On November 12, 2023, Burnside was arrested by members of the Southampton Police Department after allegedly trying to set fire to three homes in Hampton Bays. On November 13, 2023, Burnside was arraigned before the Southampton Town Justice Court, for one count of Arson in the Second Degree, a Class B violent felony, and two counts of Attempted Arson in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony. At that arraignment, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office requested that Burnside be held in custody on bail in the amount of $500,000 cash, $1 million bond, and $1.5 million partially secured bond. The court released Burnside on her own recognizance and instructed the defendant to report for supervised release within 72 hours.

Two hours after the defendant was released following the arraignment on the arson-related charges, Burnside allegedly entered a Dollar Tree store in Hampton Bays, grabbed a knife, and demanded money from one of the cashiers. When members of the Southampton Police Department arrived, they found Burnside inside the store, still next to one of the cash registers, and they placed the defendant under arrest.

On November 30, 2023, Burnside was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Steven A. Pilewski, for the following charges:

• Attempted Robbery in the First Degree, a Class C violent felony;
• Attempted Robbery in the Third Degree, a Class E felony; and
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, a Class A misdemeanor.

Justice Pilewski ordered Burnside be held on $500,000 cash, $1 million bond, or $1.5 million partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Burnside is due back in court on January 17, 2024, and she is being represented by Melissa Aguanno, Esq.

Burnside’s arson-related charges are still pending Southampton Town Justice Court, and the next court date for that case is January 8, 2024.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Matthew R. Laube of the Major Crime Bureau.

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Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments.

Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.

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