PROVIDENCE, R.I. – An investigation by the Providence Fire
Department Arson Squad, the Providence Police Department and the Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) into an early morning fire on
July 23, 2014, that caused significant damage to an occupied three family
tenement at 346 Admiral Street in Providence, has resulted in the arrest and
detention of the building’s owner, Rony Metellus, 51, of Providence. It is
alleged that Metellus set fire to the building in order to collect insurance
payments.
Metellus, arrested on Thursday and held overnight in federal
custody, made an initial appearance in U.S. District Court today on a charge of
arson of a building used in interstate commerce. Metellus was ordered detained
by U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the
fire and the arrest of Rony Metellus is announced by United States Attorney
Peter F. Neronha, Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven M. Paré and
Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of ATF.
According to an affidavit in support of an arrest warrant
for Metellus filed with the court, it is alleged that in the early morning
hours of July 23, Providence firefighters were called to extinguish a fire in a
three-story, wood frame, residential building at 346 Admiral Street. The
building sustained heavy damage. Three adults and three children were living in
a first floor apartment at the time of the fire. The second and third floors
had recently been vacated.
According to the affidavit, an investigation by the
Providence Fire Department Arson Squad determined that the cause of the fire
was the result of an unknown person or persons intentionally igniting the fire
with combustible materials.
According to the affidavit, surveillance video reviewed by
investigators showed a vehicle similar to one owned by Rony Metellus allegedly
pull up and park on Admiral Street in close proximity to his rental property. A
person fitting Metellus’ description is seen in the video walking toward 346
Admiral Street and then returning to the vehicle eight minutes later, shortly
before fire apparatus were called for a report of a fire at 346 Admiral Street.
The video shows the vehicle was immediately turned around and driven from the
area without the headlights turned on.
According to the affidavit, additional surveillance videos
obtained from a property near the defendant’s residence allegedly show Rony
Metellus leaving his house shortly before the fire is reported and then
returning. A review of the video demonstrates that sufficient time passed to
have allowed Metellus to have travelled to Admiral Street, started a fire and
returned home. Another video allegedly shows a vehicle fitting the description of
the defendant’s traveling on the same street on which he resides, at
approximately the same time fire apparatus are responding to or have already
responded to the fire. Metellus’ residence is less than one mile from his
rental property at 346 Admiral Street.
According to the affidavit, the investigation revealed that
shortly after the fire Metellus allegedly hired a public adjuster to represent
him in filing an insurance claim for damages to 346 Admiral Street. Records
indicate a claim was filed with the insurer, Lloyd’s of London. The defendant’s
claim was filed through a local insurance agency.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney
William J. Ferland.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment