FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Detective Brian McGregor

Email: bmcgregor@kennerpd.com

Office: (504) 712-2252

Date: April 24, 2009

Kenner Man Charged in Arson

Kenner - On Thursday, April 23, 2009, Stephen Celino, 24, who provided the home address of 736 Village Road, Unit A, Kenner, was arrested and charged with the crime of aggravated arson.

On Monday, February 2, 2009, the Kenner Police Department and Kenner Fire Department responded to a structure fire, located at 736 Village Road, Unit F, Kenner, (Cobblestone Village) where the exterior of the condominium had caught fire. After the fire was extinguished, the Jefferson Parish Fire / Arson Unit was summoned to the location. An investigation revealed the source of the fire originated when someone intentionally set a telephone book and garbage outside the location on fire. The fire continued igniting the exterior of the occupied condominium on fire.

Celino was suspected to have intentionally set the fire. Celino was interviewed by Kenner Police Detective Joseph McRae and Jefferson Parish Fire Arson Investigator Tom Lowe. Celino confessed to setting the fire for no apparent reason. Celino was charged with the crime of aggravated arson for intentionally setting the fire where it was foreseeable that human life might be endangered (occupied residence). Celino has been released from the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center on a $20,000.00 surety bond.

Detective Joseph McRae and Jefferson Parish Fire Arson Investigator Tom Lowe are in charge of the investigation.

Chief Steve Caraway urges anyone with information concerning this incident, to call the Kenner Police Department at (504) 712-2222 or Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111.

Kenner Police Department website: www.kennerpd.com

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