Beverly teen held without bail on arson charges
By Paul Leighton, The Salem News, Beverly, Mass. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
On
Alone in the house, which had been under construction for six months, the friends sat on a cardboard box and smoked marijuana or hash oil, police said.
Pavia's two friends told police they were ready to leave when Pavia pulled out a blowtorch and asked one of them for a lighter. The two friends said they went to their car then, while Pavia stayed inside.
A short time later, Pavia came running out of the house, still carrying the blowtorch. According to police, Pavia told his two friends "it was time to go."
The house at
Pavia, 19, of
He appeared in court in handcuffs but did not speak during the hearing. His court-appointed attorney,
Judge
The two friends, who at ages 15 and 17 are juveniles, will be summonsed to court and charged with accessory to arson before the fact, breaking and entering in the nighttime with intent to commit a felony, and trespassing, according to the Essex Country District Attorney's office.
Investigators said they were led to Pavia because he admitted to setting the fire while talking with two acquaintances on Tuesday, two days after the fire.
According to a police report, Pavia was talking to a couple on the porch of their
"When Pavia heard this, he reportedly said, 'I did it,'" the police report said. Pavia also asked the couple not to say anything.
Investigators were led to the two juvenile friends, who both agreed to be interviewed at their homes, with their parents present. One of the juveniles told police he used his lighter to light the blowtorch before leaving the building. He described the torch as either a "blue Bernz-O-Matic or a green Coleman can of propane."
Pavia and the two friends left and went to The Black Lobster, a restaurant and bar in
According to one of his friends, Pavia was "freaking out as he looked at the fire," laughing and giggling and swearing.
Pavia was arrested Wednesday night. He denied any knowledge of or involvement in the fire, police said.
According to court records, this is not the first time Pavia has been involved with police. On
According to a police report, Pavia broke into a sailboat at
He was charged with breaking and entering in the nighttime with intent to commit a felony and with malicious destruction over property over
In
A month earlier, in
Pavia was issued a marijuana citation and charged with driving without a license. A judge ordered him to complete a driver alcohol education program.
Pavia's arrest on the arson charges culminated a joint investigation by the
Mayor
"This significant fire had the potential to be far worse," Cahill said. "The brave actions of our first responders saved lives and prevented much greater loss of property."
The state fire marshal's office said that tips to the arson hotline were helpful in solving the case. The hotline is part of the Arson Watch Program sponsored by insurance companies that offers up to
Staff writer
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