8 Arrested For New Castle Arsons, Did It 'For Kicks'

Posted: 9:18 am EDT October 27, 2009Updated: 8:44 am EDT October 28, 2009

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Monday night, New Castle police arrested eight people in connection with a string of arsons that have plagued the city for more than 18 months.

Channel 11's Amy Marcinkiewicz has learned New Castle police took into custody seven men and one woman.

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Two of the eight people arrested are juveniles.

Ruben Suarez, Steven Sheridan, Stephen Threats, Mark Quear, Rachelle Lombardo and Darrell Rice Jr. are all friends, investigators said.

All of the suspects are charged with arson.

Police said the motive, at first, was to set the fires to cover up thefts of copper from vacant homes, but as the years wore on, those close to the case told Channel 11 the group started the fires just for kicks.

Officials said three of those arrested confessed, and the city has cleared 12 of the 34 arsons in New Castle since 2007.

The break came within the last month, investigators said. Some 50 interviews turned up three confessions.

The city, about 40 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, has been plagued by more than 50 fires in abandoned buildings since the beginning of last year.

No serious injuries have been reported in any of the fires. But the city has been forced to pay overtime to firefighters and to spend money to demolish some of the damaged buildings.

Local residents told Channel 11 they're relieved that suspects have been arrested, but say they can't give up on bringing other arsonists to justice.

"It's a big step forward. I think there's a lot we can be excited about and I'm very enthusiastic. I think it can be an energy boost in this neighborhood and a way we can get some more things done in the future," said Laurie Emery.

LIST OF SOLVED ARSONS:

11/18/2007 216 Bellview Ave.

11/29/2007 812 Croton Ave.

5/11/2008 111 N. Crawford Ave.

8/25/2008 611 Spruce St.

9/4/2008 201 N. Walnut St.

9/6/2008 741 Oak St.

11/8/2008 723 Chestnut St.

11/8/2008 727 Court St.

11/8/2008 207 S. Mulberry St.

11/8/2008 231 N. Ray St.

1/9/2009 120 N. Crawford St.

7/12/2009 406 S. Walnut St.

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