Cambridge Police Arrest Suspect in Arson on Brookline Street

On September 7, 2013, Cambridge Police arrested a suspect in connection with a suspicious fire which occurred on Brookline Street in Cambridge on August 28, 2013.

At approximately 3:40 p.m. on August 28, Cambridge Police responded to assist the Cambridge Fire Department on a report of a suspicious fire set beside a building on Brookline Street.

The fire was set inside of two plastic recycling/trash receptacles placed directly against a wooden fence.  The wooden fence ignited and also caught fire, however no one was injured in this incident. 

Investigators determined the fire to be suspicious and, upon reviewing video from the scene, police were able to identify a suspect and obtain a warrant for his arrest.

Cambridge Police Officers on patrol outside of Central Square spotted the suspect and arrested Christopher Gropper, 48, of 240 Albany Street on warrants for attempting to maliciously set fire to property.  He was charged on warrants out of Cambridge District Court for Malicious Destruction of Property +$250 and for Burning or Aiding in the Burning of Property.

Cambridge Police continue to investigate other suspicious fires in the area and throughout Cambridge and ask anyone with information to contact police at 617-349-3300.  For information on how to submit tips anonymously via phone, email, and text message, please visit www.CambridgePolice.org/Tips.

The details contained above are allegations.  The suspect is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.