MURRYSVILLE, Pa. — Police have made an arrest in connection with a massive fire at a well-known Murrysville restaurant that happened over the weekend.
Brian Paul Lucas, 43, of Murrysville, is charged with several crimes, including arson and risking a catastrophe. Police said Lucas implicated himself in setting the fire.
Firefighters were called to Spaghetti and Steakhouse on William Penn Highway around 3:30 a.m. Sunday.
[ Well-known Murrysville restaurant destroyed in fire ]
Several fire departments responded and found the building engulfed in flames, according to officials. The building was left as a total loss.
Around 2 p.m. Sunday, police got a call for a vehicle break-in at Shorkey Chevrolet. Police found damage to two private vehicles, and found Lucas sleeping in the rear compartment of a 2015 Dodge Durango, police said.
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Police said Lucas broke into the Durango, and had started a fire using a lighter to ignite some papers both inside and outside the vehicle. There was major damage to the interior of the vehicle, and some of the parts were found scattered throughout the parking lot toward William Penn Highway, police said.
Lucas was arrested and taken in for questioning. That’s when police said Lucas implicated himself in starting the fire at the restaurant.
Lucas was placed in the Westmoreland County Jail.
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