Juvenile Arrested in Newark Arson Investigation

Police have arrested a 12-year-old in connection with multiple suspicious fires on Wing Street last week in Newark.

Newark Police and Newark Fire worked together on the investigation and were able to collect a significant amount of evidence. As a result, authorities executed a search warrant at 60 Wing Street Thursday and arrested the 12-year-old suspect who reportedly admitted to setting the fires.

Police said on July 21, a suspicious fire was reported at 60 Wing Street in which a garage went up in flames. That fire caused damage to nearby structures, including residences of 54 Wing Street, where an elderly female was forced to escape. Police also said on July 22, a suspicious fire was reported at 56 Wing Street, a residential structure. Authorities said no injuries were reported in either fire.

The 12-year-old has been charged with two delinquency counts of aggravated arson, a first-degree felony, and one count of aggravated arson, a second-degree felony. The suspect remains in juvenile detention.

In addition to Newark Safety Forces, Licking County Children Services were called to assist with placement of several children from 60 Wing Street.