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Pelham News

News and Information from the Salem Observer

Teens charged with arson in Pelham

BY JIM DEVINE

Police have charged three teens and a juvenile with arson related to the fire that damaged and closed the skate park early this month.

Thomas Kostarellas, 17, of Dracut, Mass., and Marc Patenaude, 18, of Pelham, were charged with arson and attempted arson on Monday, May 12.

Jason Lamy, 17, of Pelham, was arrested for arson as well as two counts of attempted arson after he allegedly tried to explode an aerosol can prior to the fire.

On May 2, police responded to the skate park at Lyons Memorial Park behind the Sherburne Hall building to put out a fire that the teens allegedly started on one of the skate ramps. Several officers put the fire out with a fire extinguisher.

Lt. Gary Fisher said police recognized a vehicle leaving the skate park at the time of the fire and interviewed the driver, who said he saw the suspects start the fire.

The skate park sustained $1,900 in damages and has since been closed. The town is expected to pay $1,000 as an insurance deductible.

Recreation director Brian Johnson said the park won’t be opened until full repairs are completed, but said he has already put the project out to bid and is waiting for the town’s insurance claim to be processed.

“I’d like to have it opened up as soon as possible,” he said.

The skate park, which has been at Lyons Memorial Park for three years, hasn’t been a regular site of trouble, but there had been a similar call to the skate park a week before the fire.

“There was a report of some kids burning a T-shirt, but we didn’t find anything on that,” Fisher said.

Fisher said a 15-year-old juvenile has not yet been arrested, but is expected to appear in Salem District Court on arson charges. All three teens were released on $5,000 personal recognizance bail. An arraignment was set for June 9 at Salem District Court.

Published Wednesday, May 14, 2008 3:37 PM by Salem Editor
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