By Stephen Stirling
A Whitestone man has been arrested on arson charges for allegedly breaking into the Lollipops Diner to steal cigarettes and starting a fire that gutted the popular restaurant to conceal the burglary, fire officials said.
Authorities said 42-year-old Michael Trantel was arrested Thursday morning at his 18-07 Clintonville Rd. home and is expected to be arraigned on charges of arson, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, burglary and larceny at Queens Criminal court in Kew Gardens.
FDNY officials believe Trantel started the fast moving two-alarm fire that destroyed the Lollipops Diner early Sunday morning after he allegedly broke into the eatery to steal a pack of cigarettes shortly after 1 a.m. FDNY Fire Marshal Robert McDevitt of Citywide North Command, who conducted the investigation, said Trantel then started the fire to cover up his burglary.
The fire tore through the diner, which has been an institution in the Whitestone Shopping Center for more than 30 years, completely destroying it and spread to seven other businesses and two vacant store fronts in the shopping center, causing severe damage.
No one was injured in the blaze, but regular patrons of Lollipops Diner were shocked and saddened to find their lunchtime haunt charred and boarded up Monday morning.
“I’m shocked,” said Marty Cholewa, a regular customer for decades who came to the diner to get lunch. “It’s so sad. It’s a great diner. The irony of it all is the only one that’s totally knocked out is [Lollipop]. Such a shame. The owner’s such a nice guy.”
The owners could not be reached for comment.
Reach reporter Stephen Stirling by e-mail at Sstirling@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, ext. 138.
