Endicott Police Department has arrested Ronald L. Butts Jr., age 39, of Endicott, for Arson in the third degree, a class C Felony. The arrest stems from a month-long investigation into a structure fire at South Liberty Avenue in the late night hours of Feb. 16. Butts is accused of intentionally causing damage to a two-family residence by starting a fire.
“This was a dangerous incident. The residence was unoccupied, but could very easily have had people inside,” said Police Chief Patrick Garey. “There was nothing about the residence that would distinguish it as being unoccupied. The investigation into this matter was not easy, but was successful due to a collaborative effort between many public safety entities.
“Endicott Firefighters responded quickly and knocked the fire down,” Garey said. “Uniform patrol officers’ initial responses were crucial to the success of the case.”
Endicott police were assisted in the investigation by New York State Police, New York State Fire Investigators, Broome County Fire Investigators, Endicott Fire Department and Broome County District Attorney.
