Police: Man Arrested For Setting Fire To Famous 4th Street Deli
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Police have arrested and charged a man in a string of arson fires in Philadelphia, including one at a landmark sandwich shop.
Police say 59-year-old Juan Barkley is the man seen on surveillance video fleeing the area of South 4th Street moments before a fire started at Famous 4th Street Delicatessen in Queen Village on February 12.
Authorities allege Barkley set fire to cardboard boxes outside the business.
"It burned up all these wires and damaged some of the bricks," said Russ Cowan, owner of the Famous 4th Street Delicatessen. "I'm hoping that this is the guy, and there aren't any copycats."
Thankfully, emergency responders responded quickly in February and there was only damage to the outside of the famous deli that's been apart of Queen Village for 94 years.
"What was crazy when you watch the video is that he lit it then went away. Then came back to see that it was burning," added Cowan.
Authorities say Barkley is also responsible for intentionally setting two other fires in the city in January.
The first on January 17 damaged an overhead facade in the 800 block of Ranstead Street. Less than two weeks later, a second fire in the 700 block of South 5th Street damaged a parked vehicle.
He was caught on surveillance video for both those fire, but the images of him weren't completely clear until he set fire to the deli on 4th street.
All three fires were declared arson, and an investigation led authorities to Barkley.
He has been charged with three counts of arson and related offenses.
