Pocono News Section

Arrest Made After Larksville Arson

Arrest Made After Larksville Arson - Monday, December 31, 2007 at 07:59AM EST

Reported by: Jill Konopka
Monday, Dec 31, 2007 @07:59am EST
LARKSVILLE, LUZERNE COUNTY- Police are crediting an off-duty Luzerne County firefighter with helping them catch a suspected arsonist. Larksville police say Thomas McTague, Jr. was in the right place at the right time and helped them piece together the investigation.

Larksville Police say is 51-year-old George Sims, Jr. of Forty Fort deliberately set two fires at 19 West Broadway Saturday night.

Frefighters responded to smoke and flames in the basement of the home and in this van in the backyard. Investigators believe Sims targeted his brother Rodney and six others who live here.

Larksville Police Dept. Asst. Chief Stephen Kofchak said, "George is a known firebug to a lot of us, that's why he's suspected of setting this fire. He's made threats to the family that lives in the house."

The motive, police say, is an ongoing family feud. George was convicted of setting the Broody tire fire in Edwardsville back in 2002. Police and neighbors say Sims only recently got out of jail. Kochak added, "The family basically pretty much disowned him, didn't want anything to do with him. I believe he wanted to come back to the house and they said no and he made threats of how he was going to get back at them.Ó

Neighbor Hank Ridlar said, "I wish they kept him in there. I don't feel comfortable with him out on the streets. It seemed like every time there was a dispute, something happened."

Neighbors recall plenty of problems on the property. Hand others say they tried to keep to themselves. "He is a threat. I take him at his word all the time, for years my shades are pulled and I live as a hermit, to try to mind my own business because of the situation," added Ridlar.

Neighbor Ed Krystofosky said, ÒTwo of the brothers are always fighting about who owns the home. Everybody knows that he's the firebug.

Police hope Sims returns to jail - where they say he belongs. ÒHope so, if he's convicted, put away for a long time. He doesn't care who he hurts," added Kofchak.

Police say George Sims, Jr. also threatened to kill an Edwardsville police officer. Sims is locked up on $51,000 bail.