Cops: Drunk man enters Eastern NY B & B, phones guests

CANAAN, N.Y. (AP) - Authorities say a 38-year-old man was drunk when he entered an upstate New York bed-and-breakfast after hours, used the main switchboard to dial guest rooms and started a fire that set off smoke alarms.

State police say Jason Bennett of Greenfield was dropped off at the side of the road by his driver early Saturday morning in the Columbia County town of Canaan, on the Massachusetts border 25 miles southeast of Albany.

Troopers say he walked to a nearby B and B, entered the business without permission and telephoned guest rooms from the main switchboard. Police say he then lit a smoky fire in the fireplace, setting off smoke alarms and driving guests from their rooms.

He was charged with criminal trespass. It couldn't be determined if he had a lawyer.