Groom Arrested For Allegedly Setting Off Fireworks During Backyard Wedding
MASSAPEQUA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A man was arrested for allegedly setting off fireworks while celebrating his wedding on Long Island early Saturday.
Nassau County Police responded to a "large loud party with fireworks" at 41 Riverdale Ave. in Massapequa after receiving noise complaints just after midnight.
A man was arrested for allegedly setting off fireworks while celebrating his wedding on Long Island early Saturday. (credit: Nassau County Police Department)
Upon arrival, cops found a large wedding party with professional-grade fireworks being discharged.
The display included 49 pyrotechnic mortars, a pyrotechnic display cake, and numerous firecrackers in addition to other spent pyrotechnic displays, according to police.
Police interviewed the homeowner, Thomas Giglio, 39, who stated the fireworks were for his wedding party.
One neighbor who lives across the street told CBS2's Dave Carlin he heard the fireworks going off around 11:30 p.m.
"And they were loud," he said.
Neighbor Chris Byrne said, it was "just nonstop explosions."
His home security video shows police officers arriving and wedding guests quickly departing.
"A lot of cop cars. There was cop cars lined up all the way over here," he said.
Giglio was placed into police custody and charged with possession of fireworks.
Some neighbors told Carlin they felt sorry for Giglio, and that a warning or a future court date and fine might be sufficient.
"It's the guy's wedding night. I don't feel that he should have been arrested," Byrne said.
"I do feel bad for him," resident Rob Patrella said. "The law's the law, but a slap on the wrist is sometimes is understandable."
Some said they saw embers hitting roofs and lawns.
"I was worried for the cars," one man said.
"Fireworks in a neighborhood where you have all these houses and everything, you could've had some real problems," resident Keith Maresca said.
The Nassau County Arson Bomb Squad responded to the home and secured the remaining fireworks.
