Cops: Someone Is Setting Cars on Fire in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH, NH - Investigators are asking for the public’s help in a car arson and burglary cases that occurred during the early morning hours of Jan. 30, 2016, according to a news alert.

At 2:04 a.m., the Portsmouth Police Department responded to an interior car fire on Chape Street. The fire was in the area of the passenger side of the vehicle and was extinguished when police arrived, according to Sgt. David Keaveny of the patrol division.

At around 4:30 a.m., police were sent to Melbourne Street for a report of a second car that was fully engulfed and later, deemed a total loss.

“Saturday morning into Saturday afternoon the police department took an additional seven calls for vehicles that had been gone through, had items stolen and or had items in the car lit on fire,” Keaveny stated. “ The additional calls took place on Melbourne Street, Marcy Street, Middle Street, Washington Street, Manning Street and Howard Street.”

Police are asking anyone else who had their cars gone through to please contact the Portsmouth Police Department and avoid touching anything in the vehicle. Additionally, if you saw anything early this morning that could be related to these fires please call 603 436-2145. Press inquiries please call603 610-7406.

Please call Seacoast Crime Stoppers at 603-431-1199 if you wish to remain anonymous and have information on unsolved crimes or under age alcohol parties. You can also leave an anonymous tip by logging on to seacoastcrimestoppers.org or send an SMS text to CRIMES (274637) and include TIPSCS in your message. You could be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 if your information leads to an arrest and indictment.