Two Stamford residents were arrested on arson charges today as part of the investigation into a rash of suspicious fires in Delaware County, Delaware deputies said. An additional arson charge was brought against two already arrested for their involvement, said deputies.
On Thursday evening, Timothy L. Haner, 24, and Ashley R. Mason, 18, were arrested for third-degree arson in connection with the April 16 fire at an unoccupied farmhouse located on Chambers Hollow Road, Town of Hamden, deputies said.
The two East Meredith men arrested Wednesday on third-degree arson charges for the Oct. 1 fire in the Sidney Center United Methodist Church, Donald J. Aitken, 21, and Cody D. Fancher, 17, were also charged with the Hamden fire, deputies said.
At this point in the investigation, Haner and Mason are not suspected with being involved with the other fires, deputies said. Aitken and Fancher have been accused with being involved in six arson fires as well as three incidents of vandalism involving arson and were sent to Delaware County jail on Thursday on $25,000 cash bail.
Deputies said they are anticipating additional charges will be filed at the conclusion of the investigation and review by the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office.
Haner and Mason were arraigned in the Town of Delhi Court on Thursday evening, deputies said. Haner was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility in lieu of $15,000.00 cash bail, and Mason was released on her own recognizance, said deputies.
The investigation is continuing and the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office continues to seek additional information from the public and encourages anyone with information to contact the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office at 746-2336.
