FOX 8 News received this press release from NOPD Wednesday afternoon:
Harrington Caldwell, 58, was booked this morning with six counts of Aggravated Arson and one count of Simple Battery after [allegedly] setting a house on fire in the 2000 block of Farragut Street in Algiers shortly after Midnight.
Officer Lisa Lewis was dispatched to a fire in the 2000 block of Farragut Street. When the officer arrived, she observed a fire on the front porch and the occupant advised that Harrington Caldwell had set the house on fire and fled the scene. A description of Caldwell was [broadcast] and the officer and complainant entered the house and escorted 3 adults and a 3 and 4 year-old out of the house.
Task Force Officer Ray Jones while en route to the fire spotted Caldwell who was matching the description of the suspect who set a house on fire and detained him.
Officers learned that Caldwell was staying at the location and was put out of the house earlier that night stemming from an argument. Later that night, the victim and babysitter were sitting in the pool outside of the house when they heard someone in the yard. The victim saw Caldwell with a gas can pouring gas on the porch and igniting the gas. When she went to stop him, he pushed her causing her to fall to the ground at which time he kicked her in the abdomen and fled.
No one was injured as a result of the fire.
Harrington Caldwell was positively identified as the suspect and was booked with six counts of Aggravated Arson and Simple Battery. Caldwell was previously arrested for Possession of Narcotics and Warrants.
Citizens with information about crime are asked to call CRIMESTOPPERS at 822-1111 or toll-free 1-877-903-STOP(7867) or Text your crime tip to C-R-I-M-E-S (274637), Text TELLCS then your crime information. You could receive a cash reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the person(s) responsible.
You do not have to give your name nor testify to receive the reward. Citizens can also submit an anonymous tip online to CRIMESTOPPERS at www.crimestoppersgno.org.
