New Jersey man charged with arson in connection to fire at Kennett Square business

Giuesppe DeAngelis, 45, of Ventnor City, N.J., was recently arrested in connection to a fire that occurred at J&G Automotive in Kennett Square on May 3, 2021. DeAngelis has been charged with arson, insurance fraud, recklessly endangering another person, and related offenses. The preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 24.

The Chester County District Attorney's Office, the Chester County Fire Marshal, and the Kennett Square Police Department all conducted investigations that resulted in the arrest.

"DeAngelis believed that the only way to get out of a large financial debt was to set fire to his business and cash in a payout," District Attorney Deb Ryan said. "He not only put the life of another person at the location in jeopardy, but he risked the lives of all who came to assist, and risked setting fire to a business next door. We thank all first responders who helped including Kennett Square Police Department and the Fire Marshal's Office for conducting a thorough investigation and uncovering the truth behind this fraud."

Kennett Square Police Chief William Holdsworth said, "This was an incredible example of collaborative investigative efforts brought forward by the Kennett Square Police Departments Criminal Investigations Division, the Chester County Fire Marshal's Office, and the Chester County District Attorney's Office. We thank all involved who worked diligently to bring this investigation to a close and the defendant, subsequently to justice."

According to the District Attorney's Office, on May 3, 2021, a fire was reported at approximately 1:09 a.m. to 911 by Elizabeth Cadwalader, the wife of Giuseppe DeAngelis. She stated that there was a fire at J&G Automotive, located at 340 Cream Street, Kennett Square Borough, Chester County. At approximately 1:11 a.m., Giuseppe DeAngelis, the business owner, reported to 911 that there were smoke and large flames coming from the location.

Police officers from the Kennett Square Police Department and firefighters from the Kennett Fire Company were dispatched to the scene where they observed heavy fire and smoke. As a result of the fire, there was a total loss of property.

Investigators spoke with DeAngelis, who told them that he was the lone occupant of J&G Automotive at the time of the fire and that prior to noticing the fire he had been inside doing paperwork and then went to the bathroom. While in the bathroom, he heard the alarm system go off and subsequently called his wife to inform her about it. He reported that he began seeing smoke enter the bathroom and exited the shop through the garage door.

Chief County Fire Marshal John Weer conducted a full examination and investigation of the scene and determined that the fire had been started in multiple areas inside the business - near a desk where records were kept, and in a back storage room approximately 20 feet away. The cause of the fire was determined not to be electrical in nature, and a melted gas can was located inside the office area, in close proximity to where the fire was started.

Investigators attempted to obtain surveillance footage from inside J&G Automotive but discovered that three of the five cameras were disabled shortly prior to the fire. The only operational camera did not capture the area where the fire was started but showed the defendant walking towards the bathroom around 1 a.m., with flames visible on camera five minutes later.

Investigators later determined that J&G Automotive's PennDOT inspection and emissions records were not in compliance, and that DeAngelis was being audited at the time of the fire. The defendant had previously been suspended from conducting inspections and was anticipating further review of his records. Investigators found that at the time of the incident the defendant was also experiencing numerous financial difficulties including mortgage forbearance, a civil suit, substantial debt to creditors, and a negative business banking balance.

Insurance company records indicate that a claim was made on a policy held by J&G Automotive the same day of the fire. This policy covered the contents of the building up to $342, 000 and resulted in a payout of over $278, 000 to the defendant.

The defendant was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Al Iacocca, with a $250, 000 unsecured bail.

Kennett Square Police Department and the Chester County Fire Marshal investigated. Assistant District Attorney Jessica Acito is the assigned prosecutor.