Five N.C. Firefighters Arrested on Arson Charges
Source The Fayetteville Observer, N.C.
RAEFORD, N.C. -- Five volunteer firefighters have been arrested and charged with setting brush and structure fires around Hoke County, according to the Hoke County Sheriff's Office.
Hector L. Cruz Jr., 20, Justin P. King, 16, David T. Landry, 18, Dayeshandre S. Kemp, 16, and Alveano D. Blackwell, 17, all of Raeford, volunteered with the Hillcrest Fire Department.
They have been charged in four structure fires set between Feb. 20 and March 24, and four brush fires set between March 4 and April 14. The structures were uninhabited.
An investigation into the fires began April 14, when investigators received a call reporting fires in a wooded area behind the Walmart in Raeford. The caller provided information about three suspects and a license plate number for a vehicle.
Cruz is charged with five counts of conspiracy to commit burning, three counts of burning certain buildings, two counts of setting fire to grass and brush land, and single counts of breaking and entering and false report to law enforcement, plus two counts of misdemeanor larceny.
King is charged with eight counts of conspiracy to commit burning, three counts of burning certain buildings, four counts of setting fire to grass and brush land and one count of breaking and entering, plus three counts of misdemeanor larceny.
Landry is charged with four counts of conspiracy to commit burning, three counts of burning certain buildings, two counts of breaking and entering, and two counts of setting fire to grass and brush land, plus two counts of misdemeanor larceny.
Kemp is charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit burning and single counts of burning certain buildings and setting fire to grass and brush land, plus one count of misdemeanor larceny.
Blackwell is charged with single counts of conspiracy to commit burning, burning certain buildings, and breaking and entering, plus one count of misdemeanor larceny.
Cruz, Kemp and Landry were arrested and released to their parents, investigators said. Blackwell and King are expected to turn themselves in.
Copyright 2012 - The Fayetteville Observer, N.C.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
