Downing Street Homeowner Charged in Connection with Fire

The owner of a home on Downing Street in the South End of Concord was arrested in connection with the fire earlier this week.

Ronald K. Paige, of Concord, was arrested at 9 a.m. on Oct. 10, and charged him with felon in possession of a dangerous, three counts of criminal mischief (vandalism), reckless conduct; place another in danger, and default or breach of bail conditions.

According to Lt. Timothy O’Malley, the commander of the criminal investigations unit for the department, fire officials became suspicious of the Oct. 7, fire, and alerted police about possible arson incident.

Detectives requested and were granted a search warrant and searched the home. During the search, police allegedly found more than one possible source of the fire, according to O’Malley, along with a “Samurai-style-sword.” Since Paige was a convicted felon and legally could not be in possession of such a weapons, a warrant was filed for his arrest. 

Later, after interviews with witnesses and others, as well as evidence collected at the Downing Street home, the reckless conduct charge for the fire was added to the warrant. Since Paige was out on bail from criminal trespass and resisting detention charges on Aug. 22, a breach of bail charge was added too.

This morning, officers were called to Pembroke Road for a domestic dispute call allegedly involving Paige and his girlfriend. Police allege that Paige damaged two doors and a window at the home. Paige was arrested by police at that time on three criminal mischief charges. The other charges were also added to the arrest.

Paige is expected to be arraigned in court today. 

“We may upgrade the charges to include arson,” O’Malley said, adding that the case was still under investigation.