December 26, 2024
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Investigators have suspect in P.I. arson

PRESQUE ISLE – An investigator from the State Fire Marshal’s Office said Wednesday that a man found at the scene of an intentionally set house fire on Easton Road last week is considered a suspect in the incident.

Charges could be pending against Robert LaPointe, 62, of Presque Isle, who was living at the home owned by Kim Becker, 51, when the fire was set, according to Fire Marshal’s Office Investigator Tim Lowell.

“LaPointe was found on the scene in a vehicle with self-inflicted injuries,” he said Wednesday. Investigators would not say what type of injuries LaPointe suffered. “We found information that told us that the fire was intentionally set.”

He was taken by ambulance to The Aroostook Medical Center and then to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.

The second floor of the dwelling was destroyed in the fire, which took place the afternoon of Nov. 20, according to Lowell.

Becker was at work at the time of the fire. Lowell could not comment on the relationship between Becker and LaPointe.

Lowell said he believed LaPointe was still in the hospital, but no information on his condition was available from EMMC on Wednesday.

Investigators are not releasing information about a motive or how the fire was set, according to Lowell.

“The investigation remains ongoing,” Lowell said Wednesday.

Presque Isle firefighters were assisted by crews from Easton, Fort Fairfield and Caribou.

jlbdn@ainop.com

538-6567


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