Suspect Confesses To Setting String Of Fires In New Kensington
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Black soot stains on walls around town tell the tale of a firebug on the loose in New Kensington.
"In August or September, we had three or four garbage fires in the downtown area," said New Kensington Police Chief Tom Klawinski.
One on Tenth Street, tow on Ninth Street and no clues as to who was starting them.
"A sofa was set on fire on top of some furniture next to a gas meter," said Klawinski.
The worry was the fires were small, but now could escalate. Then investigators got a break.
"Detectives got some surveillance videos, developed a suspect," said Klawinski.
The video show a person who, whenever they left, flames erupted moments later.
"Guy saw him walking, clothing he had on matched the surveillance video," Klawinski said.
The man is 32-year-old Andre Marice Johnston. Once in the station, Johnston started talking.
"Came to the police station and ended up confessing to the fires," Klawinski said. "Why got a reason, he said – and I quote – 'it was nonsense.'"
Johnson was recently released from a state penitentiary after serving 11 years. He's now back behind bars.
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