Every weekend this summer, Flint has experienced a mass number of house fires. While most of those homes were vacant, the flames have also spread onto some nearby occupied residences, causing severe damage. Now, Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton believes he’s found some of the people responsible.
This week, four adults and a juvenile were arrested in connection to the string of arsons on the city’s east side.
The Prosecutor reports that on July 1st, the Flint Fire Department were called to several home fires on the 1500 block of New York Avenue. The flames are believed to have started at a vacant home, but spread to other near-by houses. One of those houses was a residence, and suffered much damage.
After fire crews responded to the blazes on New York Avenue, they were called to more fires on Lewis Street, Maryland Street, and Iowa Street.
Officials have been investigating who sparked these flames, and their research led them to five suspects. One is a minor, whose name is not released. The other suspects are 20-year-old Joshua Verkennes, 19-year-old Brett Shapardon, 17-year-old Mike Albro, and 17-year-old Aaron Potter.
Each suspect, including the minor, has been charged with five counts of arson of real property, a 10-year felony, and one count of arson of a dwelling house, a 20-year felony.
“The actions of these individuals have caused widespread fear and danger to our community,” said Prosecutor Leyton stated. “They have put in peril not only the lives of residents living nearby but they have jeopardized the safety and well-being of our firefighters and have taxed the already over-burdened resources of Flint’s public safety departments. The police and fire investigators working this case were greatly assisted by members in the community who came forward with much needed information. I cannot stress enough how important it is for our citizens to cooperate in these and other types of criminal cases. Playing with matches and gasoline is not a kid’s game and these individuals will be held accountable by our adult system of justice.”