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MPD and MFD efforts lead to attempted arson conviction
Received from Maricopa Fire Department
Saturday, February 25, 2012
MARICOPA, AZ -- On February 16, 2011, City of Maricopa fire crews and police officers responded to a fire incident in the 44000 block of Canyon Creek Dr. As personnel arrived on scene, they quickly assessed the situation and found evidence of clothing burned inside a closet along with suspicious behavior. Fire arson investigators were called in. As the investigators and police officers began to conduct interviews of the people inside the home, they discovered more evidence, along with a series of events that lead to the subsequent the arrest of Kassandra Toruga of Maricopa.
On February 21, 2012, Toruga plead guilty except insane to attempted arson of an occupied structure. She was sentenced to 7½ years in a mental health facility, and if or when she is rehabilitated, will serve out the remainder of her sentence at a Department of Corrections Facility.
This is a positive outcome resulting from the professionalism and cooperative efforts of the City of Maricopa Fire and Police Departments.
“We knew something was wrong the moment we walked in the door and that this was going to be a unique investigation,” said Eddie Rodriguez, Lead Arson Investigator and Deputy Fire Marshal. “We quickly determined the cause of the fire to be suspicious and then worked closely with the Police Department to assist in the criminal investigation of Ms. Torgua. I am very pleased with the outcome of this case.”
“Incidents like this are very emotional to investigate, as police officers and firefighters have families of their own,” said Police Chief Steve Stahl. “The officers and firefighters who responded to this incident put those emotions aside and conducted themselves in an extremely professional and cooperative manner. As a result, we had a successful conclusion to this event and for that, we are very proud of our team.”
Arson is an extremely difficult crime to convict and this is the first arson conviction for the four-year-old City of Maricopa Fire Arson Investigation program. The Fire Department is part of the Arizona Arson Task Force, which involves arson investigators and equipment from 18 municipal fire departments within the greater Phoenix region.
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031b1ed.netsolhost.com / CopaNews.com
It is extremely difficult to get an arson conviction.
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