Patrick J. Berarducci, SSA, ATF (216) 522-7210
MAN ARRESTED IN MILLION DOLLAR BLAZE
CLEVELAND, OH - Steve St Pierre, Group Supervisor of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and Dan LaRocco, Assistant Chief of the Berea, OH Fire Department, along with Harry Bernhardt, Chief of Police, Berea Police Department announced today the arrest of a Cleveland man for setting the January 30, 2001 fire that gutted Dearborn, Inc of 678 Front Street, Berea, Ohio and caused damage estimated to be in excess of $1,000,000.00 (one million dollars).
ATF Agent Steve St Pierre said that ATF agents and Berea Police officers arrested Stanley J. Wolf, of 3610 East 46th Street, Cleveland, Ohio, today on one count of a Federal Arson charge in connection with the January 30th blaze. Wolf was taken into custody at the ATF office in Middleburg Heights, Ohio after being questioned by investigators. St Pierre said that information developed about three other fires that have occurred at Dearborn, Inc. would be presented to the U.S. Attorney along with the information on the January 30, 2001 fire.
Wolf, born on 07-01-63 has been employed at the Dearborn, Inc. for the past 5½ years as a machinist. He is being held at the Berea City Jail and will receive an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Jack B. Streepy at 10:00 AM on Thursday, February 8, 2001.
Chief LaRocco said, "Fire investigators have determined after an examination of the fire scene that the fire was intentionally set. All possible accidental or natural causes have been eliminated to the satisfaction of investigators."
Chief Bernhardt said, "I want to commend all the officers, firefighters and agents for a job well done. The cooperation was tremendous. I hope the management and employees of Dearborn, Inc. can rest easy now and begin to rebuild their company."
If convicted, Wolf faces up to 10 years in Federal prison and up to a $250,000 fine on this charge.
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