BRUNSWICK — A 41-year-old man was arrested Aug. 27 after a police officer said he caught him lighting a fire on railroad tracks near Jordan Avenue.
David J. Burch, who was listed by police as a transient, was charged with arson, aggravated reckless conduct, aggravated criminal mischief, refusing to submit to arrest or detention and failure to control or report a dangerous fire.
Cmdr. Mark Waltz said Aug. 29 that Burch is also a suspect in four other fires set in town: two behind Shaw’s at Merrymeeting Plaza, one behind Autometrics, and one at Walmart on Tibbetts Drive.
Burch was taken to Cumberland County Jail after he was unable to pay cash bail set at $5,000.
Officer Joshua Bernier responded to the 5:30 p.m. call to the fire behind Merrymeeting Plaza, and soon heard of another fire burning behind Autometrics on Bath Road. Bernier said he then saw Burch walking down the railroad tracks towards Jordan Avenue before he witnessed Burch light a fire there.
Waltz said Bernier told Burch to stop, but he ignored the officer and started to walk away. Bernier was able to stomp out the fire after he placed Burch in handcuffs.
Burch
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