Man charged in connection with Newport mansion fires, carjacking, vandalisms

NEWPORT, R.I. (WLNE) — After a fire breaks out at a Newport mansion, officials said they are investigating it as an arson.

The suspect put up a fight before he faced a judge.

25-year-old Foster Krupa of Newport is facing over a dozen charges, including robbery, arson, breaking and entering, two counts of felony assault, larceny over $1,500, five counts of vandalism, two counts of simple assault, resisting arrest, and duty to stop in an accident involving a motor vehicle.

Krupa is accused of a car jacking and setting fire inside a historic mansion Wednesday morning.

Krupa allegedly threatened a woman with a fishing spear to get her out of her car.

Officers found the stolen car damaged and empty off the road on Wickham Road.

Krupa w]as then found near the scene of the crash and was taken into custody.

The Newport Fire Department responded to Ruggles Avenue at the same time, where firefighters found several fires in the basement showing evidence of arson.

During the investigation of the carjacking officers also discovered multiple vandalisms to cars in a parking lot on the same street.

Officials say krupa is allegedly responsible for the three incidents, and is being held without bail.

He has a status conference on March 5.

The investigation is still ongoing.