Arson Suspect Arrested Tuesday after Fire at Page Boulevard Restaurant

Springfield, Mass. — At approximately 12:45 p.m. on Tuesday Springfield Police Officers arrested 48 year old Josue Ortiz-Velez on arson charges.

The previous evening around 9:30 p.m. Springfield Police Officers were called to the El Morro Bakery and Restaurant on the 500 block of Page Boulevard for an alarm going off.  When the officer arrived she immediately saw a fire in the back of the building.  The Springfield Fire Department arrived and extinguished the fire.  No one was inside at the time.

The Springfield Arson & Bomb Squad along with a Massachusetts State Police Investigator assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office along with his K9 Bijou responded to the scene to conduct an investigation.  The suspect can be seen on video pouring gasoline along the rear door.  The suspect was then positively identified as Josue Ortiz-Velez.

On Tuesday around 12:00 p.m. a Springfield Arson Investigator was parked across the street from the restaurant when he observed the suspect return to the property before driving away.  Springfield Police were notified and conducted a traffic stop of the suspect’s vehicle on Duryea Street.  Ortiz-Velez was placed under arrest.

48 year old Josue Ortiz-Velez of Springfield is charged with:

  • Arson of a Dwelling/House