Arrest Made In Connection To Fire At Philly City Councilwoman's Property
By Elizabeth Hur
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Police have made an arrest in connection with the fire at a home owned by a Philadelphia city councilwoman, as well as found some of the goods stolen from the property.
According to police, 23-year-old Edwin Diana was taken into custody on Saturday in connection to Friday morning's fire and burglary at the West Kensington home of 7th District Councilwoman Maria Quinones Sanchez.
On Saturday, police confirmed the Fire Marshall's office ruled this an arson. Police say Diana intentionally targeted this particular home, which is right around the corner from where he lives and that he turned himself in to police.
Inside the suspect's home, police say they recovered several items stolen from the property -- like electronics, including cable TV equipment. Police tell CBS3 Eyewitness News they also tracked stolen jewelry from a pawn shop.
As for the councilwoman, she's lived at the house located on the 2000 block of Hancock Street for the past 18 years, but moved out several months ago. She rushed to the scene early Friday morning only to learn the fire appeared to be intentionally set.
"Because there were multiple fires and the way they were set, it's not like it was an electrical outlet, an appliance," she said.
The property, as it turns out, was up for sale and was in the process of being renovated, so it was vacant and fortunately, no one was hurt.