ANSONIA – Police said they have arrested two men in connection to an arson fire that destroyed a playground at Gatison Park.
Jayvon Johnson and Jose Bordoy, both 19-year-old Ansonia residents, were arrested Oct. 7 and charged with reckless burning, conspiracy to commit reckless burning, first-degree criminal mischief, conspiracy to commit first-degree criminal mischief, second-degree reckless endangerment and conspiracy to commit second-degree reckless endangerment.
Police said they identified the suspects through a “review of surveillance footage and other investigative efforts.”
Firefighters and officers were called to Gatison Park between Third and Fourth streets around 3:29 a.m. Oct. 3 for a report of a fire. Responders found the playground and rubber safety matting nearby engulfed in flames.
The fire destroyed a playground which had been recently built and funded by a $100,000 state grant before it was put out.
An investigation from the fire marshal’s office classified the fire as an arson and noted that the playground has no electrical power source or other ways for fires to start, according to police.
After identifying Johnson and Bordoy as suspects, police said they carried out two search warrants at the men’s homes on Oct. 5. A press release says police found further evidence during those searches but does not say what evidence was found. It does not say how the two became suspects.
At the time of their arrests, Johnson and Bordoy were both given $25,000 bonds.
Johnson posted his bond and is due at Superior Court in Derby Oct. 21, according to police.
Bordoy was held on bond and arraigned at Superior Court in Derby Oct. 8, police said.
State Rep. Kara Rochelle reacted to the arrests in a Facebook post.
“The community was truly hurt by this incident, and it’s good that the people who may be responsible have been charged and will face our legal system,” Rochelle wrote. “Now we must begin the process to re-build Gatison Park. We will come together and get this done for the kids of the north end and the whole Ansonia community.”
State Sen. Jorge Cabrera, whose district includes Ansonia, issued a similar statement.
“I want to thank the Ansonia Police Department for their quick action investigating and arresting two suspects for the arson at Gatison Park over the weekend. This has been a traumatic event for the community, and it’s good to know that the people who may be responsible have been charged and will face our legal system,” Cabrera wrote.