Results tagged “arson”

-- Boston Police arrested an 18-year old East Boston man on Friday after he kicked and punched officers during a disturbance at his grandparents' house. The grandparents told police their grandson was destroying their house because they were making him go to work and he didn’t want to. He was locked in his room and was aggressive towards the officers once he opened his door. His fists were clinched and he said "I’m not going anywhere." He was charged with assault and battery on a police officer and resisting arrest. [BPDNews.com]

Boston police have released photos of a man who might be the culprit behind a series of arson attacks in Jamaica Plain, including the attack on January 6 that burned Maria's Hair Fashions to the ground.

Three men were arrested today on charges that they set fire to the predominately black Macedonia Church in Springfield following the election victory of Barack Obama. The incident was a part of a small spate of racially-motivated crimes that broke out in isolated parts of the country on Election Day. The fire did $2 million worth of damage to the church. [Globe]

This morning, Bostonist ran the first-hand account of a reader who watched in shock as Maria's Hair Fashion in Jamaica Plain burned again. The salon had been the victim of an arson attack in 2006. We wondered if arson might have returned to the neighborhood. According to the Globe, fire investigators are asking the same question. This morning's fire was the third to befall a salon owned by Maria Joseph. In addition to the blaze that claimed the original South Street storefront, Joseph's second salon, Maria's Hair Fashion 2 in Hyde Park, fell victim to arson in January last year. Motives for the attacks remain unclear, and no suspects have been named.

The Globe reports that arson is suspected in a Springfield church fire that happened early Wednesday morning following Barack Obama's victory in the presidential election. Macedonia Church of God in Christ had been under construction and about 75% complete. The predominantly black congregation has pledged to rebuild, although neighbors had protested the initial construction of the church in a residential area. Bishop Bryant J. Robinson Jr., who heads the church, suspects the fire might have been a hate crime.

--The Commonwealth's fire marshall says that arson caused a fire that took out five businesses Tuesday in Northborough. 70 firefighters were needed to put down the flames. A five and dime that had been in operation for 50-plus years was among the casulties, which also included "an appliance store, a jeweler, a market and a bead shop." [Boston Herald]

--The MBTA put out its most recent crime statistics. The good news is that "Part I" crimes (homicide, rape, robbery, larceny) are down by 10%, and the most violent crimes are down 18.5%. "Part II" crimes (simple assault, vandalism, and the grab-bag that is "Disorderly Conduct") are up by 12%. Larceny is the most common "Part I" crime, while fraud is the most common "Part II" crime. [Full presentation at MBTA Police]

--One man was shot to death and two were wounded in Dorchester last night. One resident told the Herald that the man was exactly who the shooters were looking for, and they shoved him into the hallway of an apartment building on Shandon Road and started firing. Two men were killed at that spot back in July. Last night's victim is the 49th homicide of the year. Later last night, two other people were shot...

The city is still reeling from the deaths of firefighters Paul Cahill and Warren Payne in West Roxbury on Wednesday night. Residents expressed their thanks to Cahill, Payne, and the other injured firefighters by bringing flowers and cards to the West Roxbury fire station. Cahill and Payne were, by all accounts, men who were devoted to their jobs. Cahill discovered his life's passion when he became a firefighter at age 40. Payne had EMT...

For a while Bostonist had been hoping that El Oriental de Cuba in JP would be open a bit later. After downing some pints at Behan’s a walk over to El Oriental for some mashed plantains is much better than that foreman grilled cheese we end up making after bars close. Alas, they were only open on weekends until 10 p.m. Until yesterday that is, when El Oriental was firebombed overnight. Bostonist loves ethnic food and for Cuban food in Boston this little spot - located "the other way" down Centre St., away from the cute little shops that define the increasingly gentrified JP - can’t be beat. The Boston Globe recounted statements from Maura A. Hennigan, who heard the Molatov cocktail-like fire starter had been tossed through the window of El Oriental around 3:30 a.m. This unexpected arson has taken the neighborhood by surprise and left the Cuban community in Jamaica Plain distraught, waiting for the restaurant to rebuild. Nobel Garcia pledged to the community and reporters that he would reopen the restaurant he’s owned for the last 6 years. Garcia said he had no enemies and didn’t know who could have done it. The food is great, the space itself left a little something to be desired, but nothing to firebomb over.