Teenagers each face arson charge in Pittsfield Township barn fire
Two 17-year-olds accused of starting a fire that heavily damaged a vacant barn in Pittsfield Township each face a charge of arson of real property, a 10-year felony.
Kyle Clossick of York Township was released on personal recognizance at his arraignment Sunday.
Nicholas Arhangelos of Pittsfield Township, was jailed on a $10,000 bond. He can be released after posting $1,000. He was also arraigned Sunday.
Firefighters peer into a barn in Pittsfield Township during a fire there Thursday.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Pittsfield Deputy Police Chief Gordy Schick said the two teenagers were arrested at their homes early Friday morning following an all-night investigation by Pittsfield Township police detectives and fire investigators.
Witnesses reported seeing the teenagers near the barn Thursday and reported seeing a vehicle leave the property after the fire started, Schick said Friday.
Comments
Nic sampson
Wed, Apr 20, 2011 : 2:27 a.m.
This was no accident. This was sheer tomfoolery on their part. I personally know clossick and arhangelos, and they're not dangerous at all. Just bored and having fun, not hurting anyone.
GooDaySunshine
Thu, Apr 14, 2011 : 10:48 p.m.
This was either some sort of accident(to a certain degree), or purely for thrill. It was a worn, unkempt barn. And IF it was owned by somebody, these kids were not the first to trespass. There was clearly no one living there, so it seems obvious these kids were not trying to harm any one. Just idol hands... 10 yrs is kinda heavy for a 17 yr old being a little reckless
sparty2219
Fri, Apr 15, 2011 : 1:55 a.m.
Accident? hummm....that's a good way to look at it. But, if it was your barn, how would you feel? I believe that the barn had a lot of straw in it, so it was good for something. Maybe not to you, but to someone else...maybe the farmer that owns it. It's "goo"d to look at the positive side of things though! ;) "Arson is the crime of intentionally or maliciously setting fire to structures or wildland areas." *from Wikipedia. Arson is arson. Thank you!
OLDTIMER3
Tue, Apr 5, 2011 : 12:48 p.m.
Restitution is a big laugh in this state. A person owes my son$ 5000 restitution for the last 4 years, All he has gotten is one check for $!46 from the probation office,and the run around why he hasn't gotten his money. The only state worse is Florida where you can't even garranshee ones wages unless they agree to it.. Community service in the Burn Unit or an Animal rescue unit would be a great start.
RJA
Tue, Apr 5, 2011 : 6:50 a.m.
17 must be the magic, (tragic) number this last week. Community service sounds like a great plan, correct and in a burn center, or where animals have been burned.
:)
Tue, Apr 5, 2011 : 2:51 a.m.
What if this was their second? third? or fourth offense? Would you feel otherwise? What if it was in YOUR neighborhood? What if it was YOUR property? I'm just sayin'
jeracaas
Tue, Apr 5, 2011 : 1:45 p.m.
I don't know Nicholas personally, but I know who he is. This is NOT his first offense. As noted by others, community service in a burn unit sounds like a great plan to me.
loves_fall
Tue, Apr 5, 2011 : 2:11 a.m.
This was stupid and these kids should have to pay for the damages, but 10 years in jail when no one was hurt or even particularly at risk? That seems excessive to me.
donderop
Tue, Apr 5, 2011 : 12:44 a.m.
Many years ago, teenage arsonists burned down a barn just days after I'd moved my horse to a new location. They served no time and were instead sheltered by overindulgent parents. One of them -- to whom I became related by marriage -- lived a life of drunken-driving arrests, nonpayment of child support and sponging off everyone he could. I believe something other than time in jail is needed here; community service in a burn unit would be more appropriate.
Fat Bill
Mon, Apr 4, 2011 : 10:41 p.m.
The Holmes Act was designed with this sort of thing in mind. 17 year olds charged as an adult? If you put them in the slam for a decade, you won't have anything useful when you are done. This wasn't attempted murder, this was (allegedly) a thrill seeking kid burning down a dilapidated barn. Stupid maybe, criminally so, but keep it in perspective.
Fat Bill
Tue, Apr 5, 2011 : 1:56 p.m.
Sure Roadman, a little taste of the other side, an opportunity to make it right, then prison if they can't be put on the right track. I agree
Roadman
Tue, Apr 5, 2011 : 12:18 a.m.
Just like the four Bronner's vandals in Frankenmuth who got HYTA for their Xmas rampage, but the sentencing judge also gave them from Memorial Day until Labor Day in the county jail. That is fair, in my humble opinion.
Roadman
Mon, Apr 4, 2011 : 6:37 p.m.
This fellow is going to be released if he posts $1,000 - what a joke! So he can start another fire? He is a danger to the community and neeeds to be locked up. I can almost guarantee that these two alleged culprits will get Holmes Youthful Trainee Act status so their criminal record can be expunged from this incident and will never serve a day in jail. They will pay likely fines and court costs and reimburse the insurance cmpany at $20 per month in restitution.
zip the cat
Mon, Apr 4, 2011 : 5:37 p.m.
10 year felony,sounds good on paper. I'll bet they get off scott free. At the most a slap on the wrist.
NewStart
Tue, Apr 5, 2011 : 2:22 a.m.
They'll be on the side of the road picking up trash and pay a Michigan Correctional fee, court costs, lawyer fees,plus whatever restitution is determined. Their outcome will be determined by unknown personal characteristics, really....some get it together, others become repeat offenders.
AA
Mon, Apr 4, 2011 : 6:10 p.m.
Not scott free He will have to pay for damage (don't look like much) And because of his age they will let him have his criminal record expunged 10-year felony if he keeps clean Jail will not help him It will make hime worse Out of sight out of mind