Police Arrest Juveniles in Arson Case

Detectives have arrested two male minors for involvement in a Tolland fire that damaged a house on Babcock Road in May. The 16-year-old juvenile and 17-year-old youthful offender were charged with second-degree arson, second-degree burglary and first-degree criminal mischief.

The 16-year-old and 17-year-old were held on $50,000 and $40,000 court-set cash bond, respectively. They were arraigned at Hartford Juvenile Court and Rockville Superior Court on July 14.

Police arrested the individuals after of the fire at 211 Babcock Road, which severely damaged the garage of a vacant home on May 22. State police and the state fire marshal determined that an accelerant was used to start the fire.

According to Tolland Fire Public Information Officer Seale Tuttle, the garage was in flames when the department responded that afternoon. The Tolland Fire Department quickly extinguished the fire in the garage.

The rest of the home sustained moderate smoke damage. Paul and Diane Didden own the home. It had previously been vandalized, according to Tuttle.

No one was injured in the fire, but Babcock Road was closed to traffic for more than two hours.