Teens Arrested in Fatal Texas Blaze
Fire Reportedly Started During Burglary, Police Say Suspects Confessed
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Compiled by Firehouse.Com News
MARK BABINECK
Associated Press Writer
Three teen-agers accused of setting a McDonald's restaurant on fire as they tried to break into its safe with a blowtorch have been charged with murder in the deaths of two firefighters.
A fourth boy, an employee who closed the restaurant Sunday night before it burned, remained in custody pending juvenile charges.
``We questioned the employee, and ultimately that led to other suspects in the case,'' Houston police Capt. Richard Holland said. ``They were subsequently arrested, questioned and then confessed their involvement.''
Fire Chief Lester Tyra said it was unclear whether the fire was accidentally or intentionally started.
Allen Gerome Davis, 17, and brothers Pedro Isreal Loredo, 19, and Juan Manuel Torres, 17, made initial court appearances this morning. State District Judge Mary Lou Keel scheduled their arraignments for March 14.
Bonds for the two brothers were raised from $50,000 to $100,000 after prosecutors said they feared their family might move to Mexico. Their attorneys denied the claim.
CHARGED WITH MURDER
Pedro Israel Loredo
Allen Gerome Davis
Juan Manuel Torres
Houston Police Photos via AP
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Davis, whose bond remained at $50,000, was described as ``sad, upset, remorseful, unhappy,'' by his lawyer, Alan Percely.
``There are a lot of people surprised by this. It's a tragedy,'' Percely said.
Firefighters Lewis Mayo III, 44, and Kimberly Smith, 30, died when the roof of the burning restaurant collapsed. The restaurant was destroyed by the fire early Monday and was demolished on Tuesday.
OFFICIAL HFD PRESS RELEASE
Three adults and one juvenile were arrested and
charged with two counts of murder for the Feb. 14
fire at 12602 Bissonnet that claimed the life of two firefighters.
A 15-year-old Hispanic male has been referred to Harris County
Juvenile Probation Department on a charge of murder.
Pedro Isreal Loredo, (Hispanic male, DOB 11-7-80), Juan Manuel Torres
(Hispanic male DOB 11-26-82) and Allen Gerome Davis
(Black male, DOB 9-15-82) each have a $25,000 bond on each count in the 232nd District Court.
An extensive investigation conducted by the
Houston Fire Department Arson Bureau,
Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Houston Police Homicide
revealed that the juvenile suspect was employed as
assistant manager at the McDonald's restaurant.
He told investigators that he closed the restaurant
and then gave a key to three accomplices who later
returned to break into the safe.
The four suspects admitted to setting the fire to cover up the burglary.
Firefighters responded to the fire about 4:37 a.m. on Feb. 14. Firefighters Lewis Mayo, age 44, and Kim Smith, age 30, lost their lives following a roof and ceiling collapse inside the McDonald's restaurant. Mayo was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital and pronounced dead at the hospital. Smith was recovered approximately one hour later and pronounced dead on the scene. Firefighters lined the streets outside the fire station, saluting and standing attention as an ambulance carrying Smith's body drove slowly past.
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