8 arrested on arson charges

STAFF/WIRE REPORT

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — New Castle Police have arrested eight people, including two juveniles, accused of setting a dozen fires in this arson-plagued city.

New Castle police Chief Thomas Sansone says the suspects all knew each other but worked in groups of two or three.

All eight were arrested Tuesday on charges including arson and conspiracy to commit arson. Police don’t have a motive, though in some cases, copper pipes were removed from buildings.

A break in the case came recently when a resident reported hearing breaking glass in a nearby building. Police discovered three of the suspects there.

Sansone says there have been 34 arsons involving vacant or abandoned houses in New Castle since June 2007. The fires have been mostly on the east side of the city in a neighborhood known as Courtside.

Sansone says he expects more arrests to come.

Adults arrested include:

URuben J. Suarez. Suarez is charged in nine fires. Charges against him include arson, burglary, criminal conspiracy to commit burglary, criminal conspiracy to commit arson, criminal attempt at theft, criminal conspiracy to theft, and criminal trespass. His bail is set at $50,000 per complaint.

UMark Quear. Quear is charged in five fires. Charges include arson, criminal conspiracy to commit arson, burglary and criminal trespass. Bail is $75,000 per complaint.

UDarrell Rice Jr. He is charged in two fires. Charges include arson, burglary, criminal attempt at theft, criminal conspiracy to burglary and arson. Bail is $100,000 per complaint.

USteven Sheridan. He is charged in seven fires. Charges include arson, burglary, criminal conspiracy to burglary and arson, criminal conspiracy to theft and criminal conspiracy to trespass. His bail is $75,000 per complaint.

UStephen Threats. He is charged in four fires. Charges include arson, burglary, theft and criminal conspiracy to arson, burglary and theft. Bail is set at $75,000 per complaint.

URachelle Lombardo. She is charged in four fires. Charges include criminal conspiracy to arson, criminal conspiracy to burglary and criminal conspiracy to theft. Bail is set at $75,000 per complaint.

Ages and addresses of the suspects weren’t provided. They were all still in the Lawrence County Jail late Tuesday afternoon.

Fire Chief Tom Maciarello said that even though arrests have been made, people should still be vigilant in their neighborhoods.