Police: Newport suspect stalked resident of condo complex before arson

NEWPORT, R.I. (WLNE) — Newport detectives arrested Joseph Fragata at his home in Portsmouth Thursday night in their investigation into a Thursday morning fire at a condo complex on Grafton Street.

Fragata, 56, was arraigned Friday on arson and stalking-disorderly charges and was held without bail.

Police allege that Fragata gave his phone number to a female resident of the condo complex, after which she did not contact him.

He allegedly sent her inappropriate photos.

The resident told police that she also saw Fragata looking in her window on February 14, 2025.

Police said that Fragata’s cell phone was in the area of the condo complex on three consecutive days, February 14-16 after obtaining a warrant for the device.

A truck with a headlight out, matching the description of Fragata’s own truck, was seen a quarter of a mile from the condo complex by a Newport city camera 15 minutes before the fire was reported, according to police.

Fragata has a long criminal record in Massachusetts, according to police.