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Woonsocket Arson Arrests

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woonsocket2 b Harwood mugshot THREE MEN WERE ARRESTED AND CHARGED with setting a string of fires over the past three days in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Beginning with a spectacular fire on Christmas night that burned down a vacant triple-decker (see the Firegeezer video report HERE), they are accused of torching four houses and two cars over the 3-day span.

The Providence Journal reports that Dante Harwood, 41, (left) was arraigned today on a felony account of first-degree arson for one of the fires. Two unidentified teenagers, both 17, are being charged with second-degree arson for a the Dec. 25 fire at 163 Elm St., first-degree arson for the Dec. 27 fire at 287 Burnside Ave., fifth-degree arson for attempted arson on Dec. 27 at 61 Elm St., fourth-degree arson for a car fire on Dec. 27 at 44 Locust St., and second-degree arson for a house fire at 67 Robinson St.

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All of the fires occurred in the area where Harwood lives.

WPRI-TV has this video report on the arrests:

Posted by firegeezer on December 28, 2009 • Filed under: Law & Justice, Videos, arson • Tagged: arrests, arson, Dante Harwood, Woonsocket Rhode Island

3 UK Teens Arrested for Fire Death

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THREE TEENAGERS IN CORNWALL, ENGLAND, WERE ARRESTED TODAY in connection with the fire death of a 59-yr.-old woman this past Thursday night. The woman was trapped inside her home with her 17-yr.-old son after somebody dropped a lit firework through her letter slot in the door. Mary Fox pushed her son out of a 3rd-story window, saving his life, and then attempted to find her cat when she was overcome and then died.

Mary Fox

Police suspected arson immediately when they found the firework remnants just inside the door. Responding to local scuttlebut, they began searching Facebook pages where they found incrimnatory statements from the suspects. “Some of the information has come via Facebook – indeed it is unusual these days for Facebook not to feature in a case such as this,” said one of the investigators.

After Mary’s son Raum leapt from the window, he ran to neighbors to report the fire and the FF’s arrived within just a few minutes. But it was too late to save her. Mary had eight other children, all of them adults in their 20’s and 30’s.

The Telegraph filed this video report:

The Times has MORE.

Posted by firegeezer on November 9, 2009 • Filed under: Fires, Videos, arson • Tagged: arrests, arson, Cornwall, facebook, fireworks, teens

“We Finally Got ‘em,”

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THOSE WERE THE WORDS OF NEW CASTLE (PENNSYLVANIA) FIRE CHIEF Thomas Maciarello as he announced to arrests of an arson ring that has plagued the town for two years. There have been more than 13o set fires in vacant buildings in the city since mid-2007 and the citizens have been on edge for the past year.

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WTAE-TV

WTAE-TV Pittsburgh reports:

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives became involved in the investigation about six weeks ago and played a role with New Castle authorities in breaking the case.

“They partnered very well with New Castle police, teamed up with their lead detective and conducted scores of interviews, analyzed the evidence and were integral in helping to obtain confessions from some of these folks,” said Jim Tanda, supervisor of the ATF’s Pittsburgh office.

While no serious injuries were ever reported, the city has been forced to pay overtime to firefighters and spend money to demolish some of the damaged buildings.

The intense investigation led to the arrests of six adults and two juveniles who are all incarcerated today. The police chief said that they usually worked in small groups of two to four people.

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WTAE-TV also filed this video report:

The Beaver County Times tells:

Back in August, a woman on Oak Street was up late one night and heard the sound of broken glass from a neighboring home. She called 911, which brought police to a home that was targeted for arson. This time though, police headed off the arson and apprehended three suspects.

Those arrests were the first step toward the arrests Tuesday of eight people suspected of setting 12 of the 34 confirmed arsons.

Sansone said police are continuing to investigate the fires, adding that some of those charged Tuesday may face additional charges and other people will probably be charged as well.

There is no indication yet as to what the motive was for this string of crimes. High bails have been set on all eight of the suspects and none of them have been able to meet the bail.