Trio of Youths Arrested For Setting Car Fires

WINSTED — Winchester police and firefighters were busy the evening of Thursday, Dec. 27, when three juvenile males were arrested for setting car fires around town. After the suspects were located, the group was tied to several other crimes in the area.

At 5:04 p.m., on Dec. 27, the Winsted Fire Department was dispatched to 80 Chestnut St., the Chestnut Grove Senior Housing, where firefighters found a 1991 Ford Explorer on fire. The vehicle sustained heavy fire damage within the passenger compartment, despite a quick response from firefighters.

Before the fire department completed work at 80 Chestnut St., a second car fire was reported at Wendy’s Restaurant on Main Street. That fire had been extinguished by a Wendy’s employee prior to the fire department’s arrival on the scene.

The driver’s window and seat had been broken. Some personal items had also been set on fire.

After an investigation of the area, Winchester Police Department reported an attempted arson of a third vehicle in a parking lot next to Wendy’s Restaurant.

Within hours, three male juveniles were arrested and charged with third-degree arson, third-degree conspiracy to commit arson, criminal mischief in the first degree and conspiracy criminal mischief in the first degree.

On Friday, Dec. 28, the three boys were also charged with criminal mischief in the third degree and falsely reporting an incident, after police linked the suspects to other crimes in Winsted, including throwing an object through a window at 20 Crescent St. and pulling the fire alarm at Pearson School while an event was taking place.

An investigation is pending as to whether a car fire at Pearson School on Dec. 25 was related to the string of arson incidents. The entire case has been turned over to the Winchester Police Department.