Pocono News Section

Update: More Arson Arrests to Come

Update: More Arson Arrests to Come - Thursday, April 1, 2010 at 04:01AM EST

Reported by: Mark Hiller
Thursday April 01 2010
WAYNE TWP., SCHUYKILL COUNTY - More arrests are expected in connection with a southern Schuylkill County arson ring. Thursday three volunteer firefighters were charged. State police say more arrests could come in the next few days. And police say the trio did it because they were bored.

State Police announce at a Thursday morning news conference the apparent motive behind a series of arsons that three volunteer fire fighters are accused of setting. PSP Cpl. Kevin Reichert said, "It was their desire to go on more runs to be more active in the job that they chose to do."

Among the three defendants, 21-year-old Shawn Hoy of Pine Grove -- whom Corporal Reichert says made pizza deliveries with an eye on arson targets. "Given his (Hoy) free time, he was able to drive around and survey if you will what possible locations would exist," he said.

Investigators say Hoy's 21-year-old stepbrother, Jonathan Eichert of Orwigsburg, and 18-year-old Matthew Dixon of Friedensburg were part of the arson ring. The trio is accused of torching barns during a 4-month period ending in January.

PSP Sgt. Steven Stinsky said, "These fires were set using a variety of methods which include the application of a mixture referred to as pickling -- which is made up by mixing gasoline and styrofoam to form an accelerant."

A 10-member task force launched an investigation last fall into several of the fires. The investigation expanded after four intentionally set fires in the first few weeks of 2010, including two fires in West Brunswick Township.

PSP Captain Dante Orlandi said, "We activated the major case team and that involved members from the various stations and provide us more manpower that we had outside of the task force."

Police say the suspects yet to be arrested either knew about the arson ring and did nothing -- or helped aid the defendants.

Dixon is free on bail. Hoy and Eichert remain locked up in Schuylkill Countys prison.