On March 12, 2019, I was patrolling area East 1 for the Somerville Police Department. At approximately 05:08, I was dispatched to 399 Revolution Drive for a fire inside of the garage. Sierra 9, Sgt. Slattery responded as well.

Upon arrival, I made contact with Partners Security who stated that the fire was started by a male party who fled the area. Partners Security Officer, XXXX, and I, found a male party in the Home Depot parking lot, who XXXX was able to identify as the male that fled the garage. East 4, Ofc. Scrugli, and East 2, Ofc. J. Moreira, responded to the parking lot as well. The male party identified himself as “Ace James”, xxxxxx. James was wearing socks that appeared to be covered in soot, dark pants, and a long sleeve light colored shirt that was covered in soot and smelled like smoke. I asked James where he was coming from and he stated that he had been out for a walk that evening. When I asked if he knew where he was, he stated Somerville and that he works at the Home Depot. I asked again where he was prior to our interaction, and he stated over in the garage, motioning towards the Partners Healthcare garage. When I asked what he was doing in the garage he said he tried to start a Bobcat and that it just “blew up”.

The first Partners Security officer on scene, XXXX, stated that on arrival he found a black male in a light colored long sleeve shirt, in another utility vehicle by the entrance sitting in the driver’s seat with a red lighter in his hand. He asked him to exit the vehicle and he refused, XXXX then told the male to stay there while he went to check on the fire. While XXXX was over looking at the fire, the male fled the area, exiting the garage through the side entrance on Grand Union Blvd. XXXX was able to see that the male was wearing dark pants, and also only had socks on.

I placed James under arrest for 266/126A Defacement Malicious Wanton Property.

After placing James under arrest, I read him his Miranda rights from a card that I keep on my person and asked if he understood everything I just said. He replied that he did. I asked him what happened that evening, and he stated that he was in the garage and he tried to start the Bobcat and it just “blew up”.

He was transported by Officer M. Canty in Unit #200 to Somerville Police Headquarters, and booked in the usual manner by Sgt. Marino.

His clothing was collected and entered into evidence:
One light colored long sleeve shirt
Dark pants
Pair of socks
Baseball hat

After speaking with the chief engineer at Partners, the estimated structural damage at this time is approximately $200,000.00.

Investigation ongoing, more additional charges may follow.

Officer Christine Bork #327
Somerville Police Department