Albany man indicted for allegedly starting fire that damaged Boys and Girls Club building

A 42-year-old Albany man is accused of starting a series of fires – including one that caused hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of damage to the Boys and Girls Club building.

Michael Vance, 42, was arraigned in Albany County Court on five counts of arson and four counts of criminal mischief.

Vance allegedly is responsible for a series of five dumpster fires. One of them was at the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Capital Area at 21 Delaware Ave. on Oct. 9, 2023. It caused more than $600,000 worth of damage, according to the Albany County District Attorney’s Office.

Bail was set at $15,000 cash, $30,000 bond and $45,000 partially secured bond. Vance has been arrested 44 times over the last 26 years, according to prosecutors.

He faces up to 23 years in prison if convicted of these charges.