Suspect Arrested in Connection with DPW Fire

Revere Man Arrested for Possession of Stolen Property from Medford DPW

Medford Police are hard at work investigating a suspicious fire that destroyed an historic building that housed the city Water Department and the Italian American Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8 early Saturday morning. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a suspect. Above, Medford fire officials work to put on the flames last weekend. Courtesy photo.

A Revere man was arrested on Wednesday for possession of stolen equipment from the Medford Department of Public Works.

State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan, Medford Fire Chief Frank Giliberti and Medford Police Chief Leo Sacco announced that Ralph E. Smith, age 46, of Revere, was arrested for possession of a Medford DPW truck and equipment stolen on March 21, 2009. He will be arraigned in Somerville District Court on April 9, 2009.

The truck and the equipment were stolen the same night a major fire occurred at the DPW facility at 27 James Street. The fire is being investigated by the Medford Fire Department, Medford Police Department and State Police assigned to the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The fire is believed to be suspicious. No one has been charged yet for setting the fire.

The fire destroyed a city building containing the Water Department and the Italian American Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8.

– InsideMedford.com