Richard White allegedly responsible for intentionally starting four fires in Connecticut Saturday night has been taken into custody.
Old Saybrook police said that White was arrested in Milton, Pennsylvania shortly after 10 p.m. Pennsylvania State Police took him into custody, and his car is being impounded, police said.
Age
He is 37 years old.
Incident
Old Saybrook Police Chief Michael Spera said that White had been throwing Molotov cocktails at several locations, starting several fires across the state.
“This individual has targeted those who we count on to save lives,” said Chief Spera Saturday night. “Our Officers have worked diligently all evening obtaining both search and arrest warrants in an effort to quickly stop these violent attacks against public safety and cause the suspect to be taken into custody.”
The first fire was started in Old Saybrook at the Hunters Ambulance building inside of the employee room shortly after 4 p.m. State police say that White was not permitted to be inside of the building at the time of the fire.
Police report that White fled the scene in a 2004 Gray Ford Taurus.
Shortly after 5:30 p.m., police said White then drove to Meriden to throw another Molotov cocktail at the Hunters Ambulance building there. Upon police arrival, a Hunters employee told police at about 10 a.m., a Hunters employee by the name of Richard White was involved in a physical altercation with another employee.
Read Also: Who is Milan Bandic? Wiki, Bio, Age, Dies, Wife, Children, Net Worth
Meriden police say, “This was following a disciplinary hearing that resulted in White being placed on administrative leave. White fled the scene prior to police arrival and that case was already reported with our Department. This case will result in separate charges and submitted with the subsequent incident.”
The Meriden Police Department notified all surrounding agencies, Connecticut State Police, and emergency personnel in the surrounding states in an effort to locate White.
Charged
Police believe he then drove to Roxbury, where he “intentionally set fire” to an ambulance inside of the local fire department on North Street.
White then drove to a home on Chalybes Road and “intentionally set fire” to the home just after 6 p.m. Connecticut State Police believe a resident of the Roxbury home was connected to the suspect and was targeted.
The arrest warrant for White is extraditable and charges him with arson and burglary in connection to the Old Saybrook fire. Bond is set to $150,000.
Police are still assessing the damage at all four scenes. Police report there was a significant amount of smoke damage at the Roxbury firehouse. Connecticut State Police report that at this time White is the only known suspect.
Police Report
The incidents are still being investigated and more charges are expected. State Police confirm that the FBI and ATF were called in to assist with the investigation.
