Pocono News Section

Three Arrested In Connection With Wilkes-Barre Fire

Three Arrested In Connection With Wilkes-Barre Fire - Thursday, November 8, 2007 at 5:52PM EST

Reported by: Jill Konopka
Thursday, Nov 8, 2007 @05:52pm EST
(Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County) Nearly three weeks after fire ravaged the Murray Courtright Complex, Wilkes-Barre police make three arrests.

Reporter Jill Konopka asks arson suspect Raul Tlatenchi, “Your friends say you started a pile of t-shirts on fire, is that correct? Raul Tlatenchi responded, “I told you no comment.

Konopka questioned, “Are you an illegal immigrant? Tlatenchi said again, “I told you no comment.”

18 days after a fire destroyed the old Murray Realty building and forced many from their homes police have arrested 23-year-old Raul Tlatenchi and 18-year-old G.A.R. High School Sr. Jaeson Farrell.

Both Wilkes-Barre men are charged with arson, but police say Raul Tlatenchi is the main guy. Wilkes-Barre Police Detective Barry Jacob, "Actually one (Raul) drew a map where the fire was at and that coincides with where the firefighters say the origin of the fire was."

Investigators also arrested but released Ryan Break of Wilkes-Barre Township for mischief and trespass.

Reporter Jill Konopka asked Ryan Break, "Did you see Raul light the fire?” Break told WBRE News, “He (Raul) had lighter fluid and sprayed it on a piece of metal sheet with clothes on it, and it lit on fire."

Break admits he was there but says he didn't do anything wrong. Break added, "They thought it'd be a superb idea to start a fire in the old building. I told them not too but they did it anyway. I saw it and it was crazy and I knew we were going to get in trouble for it."

Police say Tlatenchi and Farrell later tried to put the fire out but all three failed to call for help. Prosecutors say doing so, put many in danger.

Luzerne County Asst. District Attorney Tim Doherty said, "If that fire jumped it could have been a lot worse." That's why the building, many have called an eyesore for years is being torn down.

Frank Matello is a resident for nearly 40 years, "I'm happy they got whoever they got.” Police late let Farrell go but prosecutors say Tlatenchi is a flight risk.

Luz. Co. Asst. District Attorney Doherty added, "He's an illegal immigrant from Mexico. We're working on an INS detainer against him."

More arrests may come an investigation is ongoing. Authorities say Tlatenchi could face up to 12 years in prison if convicted. He is being held on $50,000.00 cash bail.

The other two men were released on unsecured bail. All three will re-appear in court on November 15th.