Update: Newport arson suspect also charged in carjacking with fishing spear

NEWPORT, R.I. (WLNE) — An arrest has been made in a Newport house fire, according to Newport police.

Foster Krupa, 25, was arrested in connection with the fire and is charged with arson.

Krupa is also charged in a carjacking that occurred at around 12:14 a.m.

According to police, Krupa pointed a fishing spear at the female carjacking victim in the area of 518 Bellevue Avenue and ordered her out of the vehicle.

The victim called 911 and provided a description of her vehicle.

The vehicle was discovered by officers unoccupied off of the road on Wickham Road with heavy front-end damage.

Krupa was located near the scene of the crash, and was taken into custody after a struggle in which two officers sustained minor injuries.

During this time, the Newport Fire Department received a sprinkler alarm at 207 Ruggles Avenue, where they located several separate fires in the basement.

The fires were determined to be arson and the Rhode Island State Fire Marshall responded to the scene to investigate.

There were also several vandalisms to vehicles discovered in the parking lot of 206 Ruggles Avenue.

Krupa was determined to be connected to all of the crimes and was charged with robbery, arson, breaking and entering, two counts of felony assault and larceny over $1,500, five counts of vandalism, two counts of simple assault, resisting arrest and duty to stop in
accident involving a motor vehicle.

It is unknown if Krupa has any relationship to the building.

According to the fire chief on scene, no injuries were reported in the fire.