Tyngsborough Police Department arrests Leominster man for attempted arson

TYNGSBOROUGH – Police Chief Richard Howe reports that Tyngsborough police have arrested a Leominster man and charged him with attempted arson of a home.

STEPHEN STAITE, 44 YEARS, FROM LEOMINSTERwas arrested and charged with:

• Attempted arson in a residential building

On Monday, September 23, Tyngsborough Police were called to a home on Sequoia Drive at approximately 3:38 a.m. for a report of a suspicious man in a driveway.

When police arrived, they found a man who was later identified as STAITE with a 20-litre canister of petrol and a backpack in front of the house. The police found a lighter in the backpack.

Tyngsborough Police investigated a similar incident at the house on Friday, September 20. During an initial investigation, police found that someone had poured petrol on a car and the side of the house and attempted unsuccessfully to start a fire.

After an on-site investigation on Monday STAITE was taken into custody and charged with attempted arson of a residential building.

STAITE was arraigned Monday in Lowell District Court, where he was held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on Tuesday. On Tuesday STAITE was found to be dangerous and was ordered to remain in custody without bail until at least January.

These are allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.