Rehoboth man arrested for East Providence arson

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The East Providence Police Department said that a Rehoboth man has been arrested in connection with an arson.

Joao Rego, 24, was charged with domestic arson 1st degree, arson 1st degree, and possession of schedule I-V narcotics.

The department said that officers responded to reports of a structure fire on Austin Avenue on Oct. 14, where they found the homeowner attempting to extinguish a fire in the rear of the house.

The homeowner told officers that they saw a man running from the yard before the fire started.

Officers said they located the man, identified as Rego, close to the residence.

Rego is alleged to have told officers that he was the ex-boyfriend of a resident of the multi-family home, and that he lit the fire to get her attention after she did not answer his calls and texts.

He also allegedly told officers he lit a piece of cardboard and put it under the deck to light the fire.