In January, a man attempted to burn down the Palmer Opera House
Michael T. Baldwin Reports
A Cuba man is headed to state prison for attempting to burn down the Palmer Opera House on West Main Street in Cuba. Ayden B. Hendricks, who was 21 when he was arrested in January 2022, was originally charged with felony attempted arson, felony criminal mischief and misdemeanor reckless endangerment of property.
Allegany County Assistant District Attorney Ian Jones said Hendricks smashed out the windows at the building and poured gasoline inside the Opera House. While doing so, a sergeant with the Cuba Police Department noticed suspicious activity at the business, made contact with Hendricks which led to a brief foot pursuit before he was taken into custody.
Jones in court Thursday argued for prison time for Mr. Hendricks, citing “the serious nature of his conduct and the fact that his actions could have easily led to tragic consequences” if it were not for “great police work from the Cuba PD.” Hendricks will serve a 1 – 3 year indeterminate prison sentence for this offense.
