Bristol County man admits to setting ex-girlfriend’s home on fire in Rhode Island to get her attention

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI – The East Providence Police Department report the arrest of 24-year-old Joao Rego of Rehoboth following a call for a structure fire on Austin Avenue on October 14th.

Upon their arrival, officers observed the homeowner attempting to extinguish the fire in the rear of the house. The homeowner described a male that was observed running from their yard minutes before the fire started. Officers located the male, identified as Rego, matching the description not far from the residence.

After a brief interview, it was learned that Rego was the ex-boyfriend of a resident in the multi-family home. Rego was later interviewed by detectives and an investigator from the Office of the State Fire Marshal and admitted to lighting the fire in an attempt to get her attention after his ex- girlfriend did not respond to his repeated calls and text messages. Rego told detectives he lit a piece of cardboard on fire and placed it under the deck to set the fire.

Rego was charged with Domestic Arson 1st Degree and Arson 1st Degree. He was also charged with two counts of Possession of Schedule I-V narcotics that were found on his person during the arrest.