Tag:

Arson

Series of Suspected Arsons Across Williamsport Under Investigation Series of Suspected Arsons Across Williamsport Under Investigation
Series of Suspected Arsons Across Williamsport Under Investigation The Williamsport Bureau of Police and the Williamsport Bureau of Fire launched a joint investigation on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, following a series of suspected arsons across multiple locations in the city. Authorities reported four incidents, each involving intentional fires or vandalism, throughout the day. The first incident unfolded at 5:00 a.m. at the Pajama Factory’s parking lot on 1307 Park Ave., where officers and firefighters responded to several vandalized vehicles, including one set ablaze. At 6:20 a.m., emergency responders were dispatched to the 170 Rose St. area for multiple small…
Man Who Arranged Arson Of PA Warehouse Convicted: Police Man Who Arranged Arson Of PA Warehouse Convicted: Police
Man Who Arranged Arson Of PA Warehouse Convicted: Police A New Jersey man was convicted for arranging the 2022 arson of a Bensalem warehouse on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, according to police. Ramiz Duka, 61, of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, was convicted in federal court for conspiring to set fire to a warehouse located at 1388 Bridgewater Road in Bensalem on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, the Bensalem Police Department said. Duka recruited two men to set fire to the warehouse, paying them $15,000 to do so, according to police. Over the course of several weeks, the three men met and planned the arson, ultimately leading to the fire. While fighting the blaze,…
'Let It Burn Satan' PA Woman Yelled During Arson House Fire: Affidavit 'Let It Burn Satan' PA Woman Yelled During Arson House Fire: Affidavit
'Let It Burn Satan' PA Woman Yelled During Arson House Fire: Affidavit Bizarre details about an arson were shared by police in court documents obtained by Daily Voice on Friday, Oct. 18.  Leslie G. Truitt, the 100 block of East Chestnut of Ephrata, is accused of "placing belongings of a former resident in her bathtub and setting them on fire," the police stated in the release and Daily Voice reported.  The 70-year-old woman has been charged with arson and cruelty to animals. Her teenage neighbor and his stepdad rescued her and one of her dogs when the fire alarms went off at 5:05 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 9, as Daily Voice reported at the time. …
EPHRATA ARSON: Retired Care Manager At LanCo Dept. Of Aging Set Bathtub On Fire EPHRATA ARSON: Retired Care Manager At LanCo Dept. Of Aging Set Bathtub On Fire
Ephrata Arson: Retired Care Manager At LanCo Dept. Of Aging Set Bathtub On Fire While still in the hospital recovering from burns, a 70-year-old woman has been charged with arson and cruelty to animals, the Ephrata Police announced on Friday, Oct. 18.  Leslie G. Truitt, the 100 block of East Chestnut of Ephrata, is accused of "placing belongings of a former resident in her bathtub and setting them on fire," the police stated in the release.  Her teenage neighbor and his stepdad rescued her and her dogs when the fire alarms went off at 5:05 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 9, as Daily Voice reported at the time.  The boy suffered second-degree burns and was also ta…
Convicted Drug Dealer Arrested For Arson Near PA Church: Police Convicted Drug Dealer Arrested For Arson Near PA Church: Police
Convicted Drug Dealer Arrested For Arson Near PA Church: Police A felon convicted for drug dealing has been arrested for arson, Upper Chichester police announced on Thursday, Oct. 3. Andre Lamont Armstrong, 56, of Chester, was arrested on Monday, Sept. 23, according to court documents.  Armstrong was wanted in connection to a "suspicious" vehicle fire in the 1600 block of Huddell Avenue around 2:10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 13, police detailed in a release.  In surveillance videos, police saw the suspect used an accelerant to ignite a vehicle, as Daily Voice previously reported. "Based on some of the evidence already collected, it is believed th…
WANTED: Warrant Issued For Suspected Arsonist, Police In PA Say WANTED: Warrant Issued For Suspected Arsonist, Police In PA Say
Wanted: Warrant Issued For Suspected Arsonist, Police In PA Say A warrant has been issued for a suspected arsonist, Waynesboro police announced on Thursday, Sept. 26.  Maxwell D. Alexander, 22, of Greencastle, has been charged with five counts of arson and related offenses and three counts of criminal mischief after an incident on Old Mill Road at 2:15 a.m. on Monday, June 12, 2023, police detailed in the release. He is currently serving 24 months of probation for a criminal mischief charge for an incident in Waynesboro that same day, according to a previous court docket. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023. Anyone with …
Suspicious Car Fire Investigated In Lower Chichester: Police Suspicious Car Fire Investigated In Lower Chichester: Police
Suspicious Car Fire Investigated In Lower Chichester: Police Police are investigating a fire that was intentionally set In Lower Chichester. A man used an accelerant on a vehicle on the 1600 block of Huddell Avenue shortly after 2 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 13, police said in a press statement. The man may have parked in the Linwood Heights Church parking lot and walked to the area where he allegedly set the fire, police said. Residents with security cameras in the area of Linwood Garden Apartments or the Linwood United Methodist Church are asked to review their footage. Lower Chichester PD Anyone with any information should contact Detective Cortes o…
Arson Fire Destroyed Historic Norristown Park Bandshell: FD Arson Fire Destroyed Historic Norristown Park Bandshell: FD
Arson Fire Destroyed Historic Norristown Park Bandshell: FD A fire that destroyed a historic bandshell at Elmwood Park in Norristown last week was intentionally set, authorities said. The Norristown Fire Department has confirmed the fire at the Fire Chief’s Memorial Bandshell was arson, the municipality said in a statement on Thursday, Sept. 5. The fire destroyed the almost 100-year-old outdoor performance venue in the early morning hours of Aug. 28.. The bandshell is a fixture of the Elmwood Park and the entire Norristown community. The outdoor venue hosts the Summer Concert Series, Movie Nights at the Park screenings, Fourth of July celebrations…
Suspicious Fire Kills Philly Man, 37: Police Suspicious Fire Kills Philly Man, 37: Police
Suspicious Fire Kills Philly Man, 37: Police A 37-year-old man was killed in a fire that was intentionally set in Southwest Philadelphia, authorities said. The victim's name had not been released. On Thursday, Aug. 29, at about 7:30 p.m., Philadelphia Police and Fire Department responded to a fire on the 5700 block of Harmer Street, in the 19th District. A second male victim, 48, was transported to Pen Presbyterian Medical Center by PFD-Medic Unit, where he is listed in stable condition.  The Fire Marshall responded to the scene and ruled it an arson.  The investigation is active and ongoing with Southwest Detectives Di…
Man Shot, Set On Fire In SW Philadelphia: Police Man Shot, Set On Fire In SW Philadelphia: Police
Man Shot, Set On Fire In SW Philadelphia: Police A man was in critical condition after being shot and set on fire in Southwest Philadelphia, authorities said. On Wednesday, Aug. 28, at about 10:30 a.m., Philadelphia Police responded to a person screaming inside an apartment on the 5400 block of Lansdowne Avenue, in the 19th District. A 40-year-old man was shot at by a male offender, and then the female offender set the victim on fire, causing burns to his body, police said. The victim was taken to Jefferson University Hospital by the Philadelphia Fire Department Medic Unit. Two suspects, a 38-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman, were…
Arrest Made In Deadly Arson In Philadelphia: Police Arrest Made In Deadly Arson In Philadelphia: Police
Arrest Made In Deadly Arson In Philadelphia: Police A 38-year-old man has been arrested in a Philadelphia arson fire that left a 66-year-old woman dead early Friday, Aug. 23, police said. Shadeek McDowell has been charged with murder, arson, five counts of aggravated assault, five counts of simple assault, and related offenses in the 4:30 a.m. blaze on the 1800 block of East Russell Street, city police said.  A very difficult morning in Kensington. PFD made multiple rescues from several homes damaged by a fire that took nearly an hour to place under control. Sadly, one person did not survive. Five people received EMS care and we…
Homeowner Set Fire To Berwyn Residence, DA Says Homeowner Set Fire To Berwyn Residence, DA Says
Homeowner Set Fire To Berwyn Residence, DA Says The two-alarm fire at a Berwyn home last week was set intentionally by the owner, prosecutors believe.  Kathryn Frankel, 41, is charged with arson, criminal mischief, and related counts, said the Chester County District Attorney's Office on Wednesday, July 31.   The fire was "well-advanced" by the time authorities arrived at the 400 block of Leopard Road around 11 a.m. on July 23, Berwyn Fire Company said previously.  Frankel was the only person home at the time of the blaze, and was seen "wandering around the property" before authorities arrived, the DA's Office said. …
Arsonist Set Fire At Lackawanna County Building: Investigators Arsonist Set Fire At Lackawanna County Building: Investigators
Arsonist Set Fire At Lackawanna County Building: Investigators A Scranton man is charged with setting a fire at the Lackawanna County government building last week, according to city police.  Paul Howard Strope Jr., 35, is also charged with risking catastrophe and reckless endangerment, authorities said.  The 123 Wyoming Avenue fire started around 6:30 on Tuesday, June 26, Scranton police said. A meeting was in progress in a conference room when attendees smelled smoke wafting in through the building's HVAC system, according to authorities.  The building was evacuated and firefighters "conducted suppression and ventilation activities," …
ARSON: Ex-Wife From WV Sets Ex-Husband's PA Porch On Fire, Police Say ARSON: Ex-Wife From WV Sets Ex-Husband's PA Porch On Fire, Police Say
Arson: Ex-Wife From WV Sets Ex-Husband's PA Porch On Fire, Police Say A 60-year-old West Virginia woman is in a Pennsylvania prison after an arson incident at her ex-husband's home, police announce on Friday, June 28.  Georgina Diane Zogby of Maple Avenue, Martinsburg, WV, was arrested following an investigation into a front porch fire at a home in the 600 block of Moore's Mountain Road, Lewisberry at 9:09 p.m. on February 4, 2024, the Fairview Township Police Department detailed in a release.  When officers first responded to the report of the fire, they learned the homeowner was inside the home when noticed that his porch was on fire, according to…
COLD CASE: Troopers Find New Leads In PA Woman's 1997 Murder COLD CASE: Troopers Find New Leads In PA Woman's 1997 Murder
Cold CASE: Troopers Find New Leads In PA Woman's 1997 Murder State police say they are making progress in their investigation of Patricia Woll's homicide.  Woll, 43, was living on River Road in Damascus Township, Wayne County when her house caught fire on Aug. 28, 1997.  She was found dead inside after firefighters beat the blaze. A "detailed investigation" led state police to declare the fire an arson and Woll's death a homicide.  "Several new investigatory leads and evidence have been uncovered and are activity being pursued by investigators," said troopers in a release on May 31. Authorities did not describe the new evidence. …
Philadelphia Man Doused Victims In Gasoline, Set Them On Fire: Police Philadelphia Man Doused Victims In Gasoline, Set Them On Fire: Police
Philadelphia Man Doused Victims In Gasoline, Set Them On Fire: Police A 64-year-old city man is accused of setting two people on fire in a Southwest Philadelphia home last month, authorities told Daily Voice.  Kimbrady Carriker, also known as Grady Carriker, is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, arson, and related counts, police said. 6abc reports he is the father of the Kimbrady Carriker accused of killing five people in Kingsessing last July.  Police were called to a home on the 2500 block of South 17th STreet late on April 26, the department said. They arrived at a burning home and entered to find two people with burns to the…
Car Explodes In Philly Impound Lot, Arson Investigation Launched: State Police Car Explodes In Philly Impound Lot, Arson Investigation Launched: State Police
Car Explodes In Philly Impound Lot, Arson Investigation Launched: State Police Troopers suspect a car at a state police impound lot was intentionally set on fire early Monday morning, April 29.  It happened at the Troop K headquarters, 2201 Belmont Avenue, around 3:50 a.m. State police heard an explosion and rushed to the lot to find a vehicle on fire, they said in a release.  "Through investigation, it was determined access was gained into the secured area and an accelerant was used to set a car on fire," troopers said.  Philadelphia Fire Department was called to the scene and is assisting PSP with the investigation, officials told Dail…
ARSON: 6 Alarm Fire Hollows Out Warehouse In York County: Police (PHOTOS) ARSON: 6 Alarm Fire Hollows Out Warehouse In York County: Police (PHOTOS)
Arson: 6 Alarm Fire Hollows Out Warehouse In York County: Police (Photos) A suspicious fire led to some water and power shuts in York County as it ripped through an abandoned warehouse and factory, authorities announced on Saturday morning.  The arsonist is suspected to have started the blaze at Stewartstown Furniture Factory located at 13 Mill Street sometime between 1:30 and 2 a.m. on April 27, according to the York County Southern Regional Police.  YCSRP along with the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal are investigating the "massive warehouse fire in Stewartstown Borough" as they "believe the fire may be suspicious in nature and h…
Delco Firefighter Charged With Arson, Court Docs Say (PHOTOS) Delco Firefighter Charged With Arson, Court Docs Say (PHOTOS)
Delco Firefighter Charged With Arson, Court Docs Say (Photos) A Yeadon Fire Company member is accused of starting a vehicle fire in Colwyn last Thursday, April 11, according to a criminal complaint obtained by Daily Voice.  Abner Roberts, 18, is charged with felony arson, risking catastrophe, and related counts, court records show.  The Darby Fire Company said it happened on the 200 block of South 2nd Street around 4:15 p.m. Thursday. Firefighters arrived to find a Land Rover engulfed in flames with exposure to three surrounding homes.  Facebook/Darby Fire Co. # 1 Station 4 Facebook/Darby Fire Co. # 1 Station 4 According to th…
Ex-PA Political Candidate Kills Husband By Burning Him Alive: DA Ex-PA Political Candidate Kills Husband By Burning Him Alive: DA
Ex-PA Political Candidate Kills Husband By Burning Him Alive: DA A former political candidate has been convicted in connection with the murder of her husband — a former chief deputy sheriff of Dauphin County — Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo announced on Thursday. On March 14, Evelyn Henderson (known as Evey Zigerelli when she ran for office in the 1990s) was convicted of second-degree murder and aggravated arson in connection with the death of her 84-year-old husband Carmen Henderson, according to the April 4 release by the DA's office.  Authorities first learned of Carmen's death when Evelyn called 911 claiming he had "set himsel…
ARSON: Landlord Breaks Into Tenant's Home Starting Fire, Police In Central PA Say ARSON: Landlord Breaks Into Tenant's Home Starting Fire, Police In Central PA Say
Arson: Landlord Breaks Into Tenant's Home Starting Fire, Police In Central PA Say A Central Pennsylvania landlord broke into a tenant's home and minutes after police cleared the scene he returned to set the home on fire, authorities explained in a release on Sunday, March 24.  Ronald Frisbee III, 28 of Akron Borough, broke into the home he rents out at 312 S 10th Street around 2:15 a.m. on Saturday, March 23, according to the West Earl Township Police Department. Officers with the department were called to the home for a "civil issue" at that time. Supposedly, Frisbee "was unhappy with his tenants after a washer and dryer machine was allegedly broken by the tenants,…
Montco Man Fleeing House Fire Charged With Arson, Police Say Montco Man Fleeing House Fire Charged With Arson, Police Say
Montco Man Fleeing House Fire Charged With Arson, Police Say Lower Moreland police were called about an early morning break-in on Sunday, March 10, and arrived to find suspects fleeing a burning home, the department said in a release.  Michael Gonsalves, 42, has been charged with arson, evading arrest, and multiple related counts, authorities said.  It happened around 4 a.m. on the 2200 block of Pine Road, according to police. Officers arrived to find the front porch "engulfed in flames" and saw a man throw an unknown object at the burning home, the release says.  As police approached, the man ran toward a parked Volkswagen sedan, but…
'High Occupancy Arson' At East Petersburg Apartments, Police Say 'High Occupancy Arson' At East Petersburg Apartments, Police Say
'High Occupancy Arson' At East Petersburg Apartments, Police Say An apartment complex caught fire in Lancaster County due to arson on Thursday night, police announced the following morning. Officers with the Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Department were called to a "suspicious fire" at the apartment complex located in the 2400 block of Franklin Drive in East Petersburg at 8:54 p.m. on March 7,  The fire started on the second floor, Manheim Township Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 5423 explained. The suspected arsonist was: "an adult male resident purposely set the fire and was last seen running from the home. Police were able to l…
Residential Fire Was Set By Arsonist, Allentown Police Say Residential Fire Was Set By Arsonist, Allentown Police Say
Residential Fire Was Set By Arsonist, Allentown Police Say One man is accused of arson after authorities responded to a residential fire in Allentown early Monday morning, Feb. 26, according to city police.  Police were called to the 600 block of West Green Street just before 3 a.m. and arrived to find a burning home, the department said.  Max Nadal, a 30-year-old city resident, was arrested after an investigation and charged with felony arson, felony aggravated assault, misdemeanor simple assault, and summary harassment, police said.  Court documents for his case were not immediately available Monday afternoon. 
Soot-Covered Woman Arrested For Ephrata Public Works Arson: Police Soot-Covered Woman Arrested For Ephrata Public Works Arson: Police
Soot-Covered Woman Arrested For Ephrata Public Works Arson: Police A 70-year-old with a criminal record was caught near the scene of a literal dumpster fire at Ephrata Borough Public Works on Friday, the police announced Monday, Feb. 12.  Ruth Brumbach was seen walking while intoxicated into traffic on Church Avenue in front of the Public Works building within an hour after the fire was discovered at 10:47 a.m. The smoke and flames were spotted coming from a dumpster behind the Ephrata Borough Public Works building located at 300 Church Avenue, Ephrata Borough on Feb. 10, according to the area police.  Brumbach was identified by "prior poli…
All Six Bodies Recovered From East Lansdowne Crime Scene, DA Says All Six Bodies Recovered From East Lansdowne Crime Scene, DA Says
All Six Bodies Recovered From East Lansdowne Crime Scene, DA Says The remains of six people have been taken from the East Lansdowne home where two police officers were shot and a fire broke out on Wednesday evening, Feb. 7, authorities say.  "We think we have found everybody who was in that house," said Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer at a press conference on Friday, Feb 9.  The remains have been turned over to the county Medical Examiner's Office for official identification, Stollsteimer said, though investigators have called them the Le family.  The remains were left "unrecognizable" from an "intense inferno," and med…
Arson Sends Mount Joy Resident To Lehigh Burn Unit: Police (PHOTOS) Arson Sends Mount Joy Resident To Lehigh Burn Unit: Police (PHOTOS)
Arson Sends Mount Joy Resident To Lehigh Burn Unit: Police (Photos) A person has been transferred to the Lehigh Burn Unit following an act of arson at a home in Mount Joy on Sunday, police say.  Emergency crews were called to 617 Anderson Ferry Road for a house fire around 3:38 p.m. on Feb. 4, the Susquehanna Regional Police detailed in a release on Monday.  The address is the home of Donegal Fish & Conservation Association, according to its website. Daily Voice has reached out to the association for a comment on the arson and was sent the following statement: "This is a non-profit organization. We run a trout nursery program on the…
Former Employee Burnt Down Mechanic's Shop In Montco, DA Claims Former Employee Burnt Down Mechanic's Shop In Montco, DA Claims
Former Employee Burnt Down Mechanic's Shop In Montco, DA Claims A Lebanon man is accused of setting fire to a mechanic's shop where he used to work in Willow Grove, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office.  Sean Gahagan, 56, is charged with arson, risking catastrophe, burglary, and related counts, prosecutors said in a release.  Investigators said Gahagan stopped by his former employer, JG Transmissions at 616 Davisville Road, on the morning of Dec. 29 looking for work. He was turned away and left the shop, authorities said.  Around 8:45 p.m. that night, firefighters were called to JG Transmissions and found the bui…
'Molotov Cocktail' Thrown At Empty Car In East Stroudsburg, Troopers Say 'Molotov Cocktail' Thrown At Empty Car In East Stroudsburg, Troopers Say
'Molotov Cocktail' Thrown At Empty Car In East Stroudsburg, Troopers Say State police are investigating after a Molotov cocktail was tossed at an unoccupied car parked at East Stroudsburg University, troopers said in a release.  Authorities believe the arson happened around 4 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 15. A Molotov cocktail, police said, is "a hand-thrown incendiary weapon consisting of a fragile container filled with flammable substances, containing a fuse that is lit prior to being thrown." The Monroe County District Attorney's Office is also investigating, troopers added.  Anyone with information should call PSP Stroudsburg at 570-619-6800.
PA Doctor Set Fire, Left Antisemitic Flyers At Elderly Woman's Home: Police PA Doctor Set Fire, Left Antisemitic Flyers At Elderly Woman's Home: Police
PA Doctor Set Fire, Left Antisemitic Flyers At Elderly Woman's Home: Police A Montgomery County woman is accused of carrying out a harassment campaign that ended with attempted murder, according to authorities.  Dr. Amy Cohen of Narberth was arrested on multiple felony charges last Friday, Dec. 1, and held in lieu of a $5 million bond, said Lower Merion police in a release.  Investigators said Cohen was targeting the grandmother of her ex-boyfriend's new partner when she allegedly left racist flyers outside a Lower Merion home on Nov. 24.  The leaflets, police said, used antisemitic language and specifically threatened the homeowner's granddaughters…
PA Arsonist Lights Her Bed On Fire, Displacing 20 Neighbors, Hospitalizing Child: Police PA Arsonist Lights Her Bed On Fire, Displacing 20 Neighbors, Hospitalizing Child: Police
PA Arsonist Lights Her Bed On Fire, Displacing 20 Neighbors, Hospitalizing Child: Police A 30-year-old woman has admitted to starting a fire that spread throughout 12 apartments — displacing 20 of her neighbors, and leading a child to be hospitalized — the Ephrata Police Department announced on Thursday.  Savanna Ashley Parsons, "has been admitted to police that she had rubbing alcohol and a lighter on her bed prior to the fire starting and that she was alone in her apartment when the fire started. It was determined that the fire broke out in the area of her bed," as stated in the police release.  The police claim she "intentionally" started the fire that broke out at…