Concord Teen Pleads Guilty In Court To Arson Charges

CONCORD, NH — A local teen, who was arrested late last year for arson, has pleaded guilty to the charges, according to the Concord District Court. Brenden W. McEwen, 18, of Woodbine Avenue in Concord, was arrested at 12:25 p.m. on Dec. 27, 2017, on two counts of arson. He was accused, according to police and fire investigators, of lighting dumpster fires at the Cumberland Farms on Fisherville Road during the early morning hours of both Oct. 28, and Nov. 11, 2017, according to an arrest report.

After being arrested, McEwen was released on personal recognizance bail and was due in court for arraignment on Jan. 29.

The Concord Fire Marshal didn’t have an estimate for the cost of the damage to Cumbies but according to Fire Chief Dan Andrus, it was expected that both dumpsters would need to be replaced, due to the damage. The cost to the city, according to Andrus, was estimated to be around $400 to $500 in manpower to extinguish the fires and inspect the damage.

On his arraignment date, McEwen pleaded guilty to both counts. He was sentenced to six months in jail, the maximum term, but that sentence was suspended for two years, pending good behavior, and 60 days of community service. His case summary documents did not mention any restitution costs.

The court also ordered McEwen to undergo a mental health examination. He was also banned him from entry onto any Concord Fire Department property and was required to return any department property to officials – although it didn’t mention any specific equipment he may have possessed at the time.

Image via Concord Police.