Arson Suspect Identified in Connection with Two Fires

Springfield, Mass. — Around 11:20 p.m. Tuesday August 16th Springfield Police Officers were on patrol near the High School of Science and Technology when they heard loud noises and saw lights on a CAT fork lift that was moving.  There are also no trespassing signs posted at this location.

When officers got closer they observed a 15-year-old juvenile boy get off the fork lift and onto a bicycle where he was stopped on Alton Street.

Officers recovered a lighter and key to the CAT from the juvenile.

Officers then discovered a significant amount of damage caused by the CAT on school property.

The juvenile was placed under arrest and later released to his family.

On Monday August 15th around 11:30 p.m. officers and firefighters responded to the 1000 block of State Street for a fire at Antonio’s Grinders and on Tuesday August 16th around 12:05 a.m. for a fire in a parking lot on the 700 block of State Street.

The Springfield Arson and Bomb Squad began investigating.  The 15-year-old juvenile arrested on August 16th was identified as the suspect responsible for setting both fires.   Investigators have applied for two criminal complaints for Arson related to those fires.

Due to the suspect’s age, no further information will be released.

Both incidents remain under investigation by the Springfield Arson & Bomb Squad.