Rewards for conviction in Coatesville arsons, plus new blaze

As reward money for information on a spate of arsons grew and as law enforcement attention was increased, another suspicious fire broke out last night in Coatesville.

The latest blaze occurred about 6:30 p.m. in a trash can in the 500 block of Coates Street, said John Hageman, a spokesman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives. Hageman said the fire, which he called suspicious, was extinguished by the property owner and would be analyzed by investigators.

Financial incentives for information leading to the conviction of whoever is responsible for 14 arsons in Coatesville this year continued to climb yesterday.

"The people of Chester County will not tolerate the arsons. It is a form of domestic terrorism," County Commissioner Carol Aichele said in announcing a $5,000 reward fund.

Rewards also have been set up by the Citizens Crime Commission, which is offering $5,000 - a sum which city officials said has been augmented by an additional $12,500 in pledges. Crime Stoppers also is offering a reward of up to $2,000; and Citadel Federal Credit Union, $1,000.

District Attorney Joseph W. Carroll said he hoped the money would motivate people to share information with law enforcement. At Gov. Rendell's request, a task force that includes Coatesville police, county detectives, state police and ATF agents is operational.

"Our enhanced, coordinated effort is working well, but I'm not going to discuss what it is that we're doing," Carroll said.

The 14 arsons have left dozens homeless and caused millions of dollars in damage.

Last year, the city recorded 15 arsons, well above its average of one or two a year. A Dec. 7 blaze killed 83-year-old Irene Kempest.

Although three people - all of whom remain in custody - have been charged with assorted 2008 arsons, intentional blazes have continued.

City Council President Martin Eggleston said the two adults and one juvenile arrested were responsible for 15 fires. Prosecutors have not verified that information.

"The investigations are continuing," said Assistant District Attorney Thomas Ost-Prisco, who is prosecuting the two adults. "That's all I can say right now."

On Monday, one of the adult defendants, George Donkewicz, 23, of Coatesville, was held for trial on charges that include homicide for allegedly causing Kempest's death.

Donkewicz was arrested after he was observed at the scene of a small trash fire, the criminal complaint says. Later, he admitting setting the fatal fire, telling police "he was hearing voices telling him to set fires and kill people," Ost-Prisco said.

Ost-Prisco said charges against Donkewicz in connection with "at least three other fires" are pending.

A preliminary hearing for Leroy Robert McWilliams, 23, of Coatesville, is scheduled for today. He was charged with setting a Dec. 14 trash fire that spread to two homes on Franklin Street, forcing the evacuation of the occupants, including a 4-year-old, and causing more than $110,000 in damage.

The maximum penalty for a single arson conviction is 20 years in prison, Carroll said.

Responding

to citizens' fears over the arsons, the City Council will host a community meeting at 7 tonight at Gordon Elementary School, 351 Kersey St.

Residents

may report suspicious activity during late-night and early-morning hours to a roving police-patrol supervisor at 610-636-0514.

To register

for reward money, people with information may contact Coatesville police at 610-384-2300, the Citizens Crime Commission at 215-546-8477, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-472-8477.