SCHODACK, NY — A woman was arrested following a structure fire investigation at a hotel in the Town of Schodack.
Lameeka M. Beekman, 37, of Albany, was arrested after allegedly setting fire to a wall-mounted hand sanitizer dispenser at the Comfort Inn and Suites located at 99 Miller Road.
Members of the Schodack Police Department responded to the hotel at approximately 9:37 a.m. Saturday for a report of an unwanted guest.
Beekman had been refusing to leave one of the rooms and did not leave until police arrived and directed her to do so.
During the process of leaving the building, Beekman discreetly set fire to the dispenser with a lighter on the third floor, according to police.
The fire went several moments without recognition before building occupants discovered it and called 911.
Beekman was located outside of the building by police patrols and was detained pending confirmation that she had started the fire.
She was charged with arson in the second degree, a class B felony, and criminal mischief in the second degree, a class D felony.
Beekman was arraigned in Schodack Town Court that afternoon and was remanded to the Rensselaer County Correctional Facility without bail.
Officers A. Herrick, M. Heslin, A. Colonno and Sgt. Favorito investigated the incident.
