NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Six young adults and two juveniles were taken into custody Tuesday in New Castle, a city that has seen dozens of confirmed arsons in vacant buildings since early 2008.
"We finally got 'em," Fire Chief Thomas Maciarello said during a news conference at the New Castle municipal building. "It's just, you know, a little bit of relief. I mean, we fight fires every day."
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Watch Bob Mayo's ReportPolice don't have a motive, though they said copper pipes were removed from some of the fire scenes. Police Chief Thomas Sansone said the suspects are accused of working in small groups of two to four people.
The suspects were identified as:
- Ruben James Suarez, 23, accused in connection with fires at nine properties
- Steven Sheridan, 22, accused in connection with fires at seven properties
- Mark A. Quear, 20, accused in connection with fires at five properties
- Stephen Threats, 20, accused in connection with fires at four properties
- Rachelle Marie Lombardo, 24, accused in connection with fires at four properties (in custody at county jail)
- Darrell Rice Jr., 20
- A male juvenile, accused in connection with one fire
- A male juvenile, accused in connection with one fire
New Castle has had a total of more than 100 fires in vacant structures since early 2008, including 34 since mid-2007 in the city's lower east side alone.
"A big break came when a resident called us one evening that she heard glass breaking in on one of the lower east side neighborhoods," Sansone said.
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.
"You know, you have one or two arsonists, but to have eight, it really taxes the police department, the fire department, the ATF helping us," Sansone said.
New Castle officials have established an arson tip line. Anyone with information about any fires is asked to call 724-656-3067.
"Hopefully, we can rest a little easier now, but our job isn't completed. Just as I said, what we need is the public's help," Sansone said.
Previous Stories: - September 27, 2009: 3 Fires Ignite In New Castle Area Over Weekend
- September 24, 2009: Fire Demolishes Abandoned New Castle Home
- September 13, 2009: Another New Castle House Fire
- August 24, 2009: New Castle Arsons Continue; Vacant Home Burns Again
- August 17, 2009: 3 People Being Investigated After Latest New Castle Fire
- August 7, 2009: Fire Crews Battle Blaze In Arson-Plagued New Castle
- July 21, 2009: Another Home Burns In New Castle
- July 15, 2009: Another Home Burns; 50+ Arsons Have New Castle In Fear
- July 14, 2009: 2 New Fires In Arson-Plagued Lawrence Co. Borough
- June 3, 2009: String Of Arsons Has New Castle, Residents Burning Up
- June 1, 2009: Reward Offered In String Of New Castle Fires
- May 24, 2009: Arson Investigators Called To New Castle Fires
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