Dakota Cronin

EPPD photo

EAST PROVIDENCE — A suspect has been taken into custody following a years-long investigation into a fire in Riverside.

The East Providence Police Department Monday, Dec. 10, announced the arrest of Dakota Cronin on the charges of First Degree Arson and three counts of Fourth Degree Arson. The charges stem from a 2016 case where two neighboring houses had fires set to vehicles at the intersection of East Knowlton Street and Earle Avenue.

In a report issued by EPPD Detective Lieutenant Raymond Blynn, it is alleged Mr. Cronin, 24 and formerly of 486 Bullocks Point Ave., ignited the fire in a truck parked in the driveway of residence on Earle Avenue. The fire spread to a boat parked next to it and then to the attached garage of the house, which was occupied at the time.

While a neighbor from East Knowlton Street was assisting the resident at Earle Avenue, he noticed that the interior of his car, which was parked in his driveway, was also on fire. He then rushed to his vehicle and put that fire out.

A joint investigation ensued between the EPPD with the Rhode Island State Fire Marshal’s Office and the East Providence Fire Department. EPPD Detectives processed the scene and did recover some physical evidence, which was then sent to the State Crime Lab.

In March of this year Detectives were notified that a piece of evidence that was recovered belonged to Mr. Cronin. That information, coupled with information developed through a lengthy investigation, resulted in an arrest warrant being signed for Mr. Cronin on the stated charges.

When asked for a motive or a provocation leading to the actions of the alleged, Lt. Blinn said the investigation found "none."

East Providence Firefighters and Police were on the scene of the incident in the early morning hours of Monday, July 25, 2016.

EPFD Chief Oscar Elmasian reported the department received a call of a vehicle on fire on East Knowlton Street off Bullocks Point Avenue at approximately 2:20 a.m. Upon arrival crews found the fire had spread from the vehicle in the driveway of the residence to a boat and extended to the adjacent garage. Chief Elmasian said, "the car was destroyed, the boat suffered significant damage and the garage suffered extensive damage."

While on the scene at Earle Avenue, the chief said firefighters were alerted to another car on fire very close by in the same general area at an East Knowlton location. Once there, crews put that fire out as well. Chief Elmasian said the interior of the car suffered significant damage.