Arson Suspects Can't Be Criminally Charged In Firefighter's Death: Bucks Co. DA

LOWER BUCKS COUNTY, PA — While three suspects have been charged with arson in a Croydon fire last month that claimed the life of a longtime firefighter, the Bucks County District Attorney said they can't be criminally charged with causing his death.

Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn said three men have been charged in connection with arson at an Aug. 8 fire at a home on Cedar Avenue in Bristol Township's Croydon section.

The three Croydon men — Gavin Ross Montoya, 27; Charles William Vandenberg, 50; and 36-year-old Thomas J. Parker, 36 — have been charged by the Bristol Township Police Department.

The Bucks County District Attorney's Office examined the circumstances surrounding the death of Fire Police Capt. Ed Margavich of the Third District Volunteer Fire Company.

Margavich, 80, passed away on Aug. 15 due to complications from a thigh bone fracture sustained after a fall at the fire station.

"While his passing is rightfully honored as a line-of-duty death, the District Attorney’s investigation— along with a review of relevant Pennsylvania case law — determined that the law is such that the individuals responsible for the fire cannot criminally be held liable for his death due to the specific circumstances surrounding how Margavich was injured," Schorn said.

New Arson Details Emerge

The investigation found that Montoya early that day allegedly intentionally set on fire a van which was parked in the driveway outside a home on Cedar Avenue, authorities said. The fire quickly spread to the side of the house.

The investigation also found that Vandenberg solicited Montoya to set the van on fire and that Parker drove Montoya to and from the scene of the fire with the belief that Montoya was going to allegedly rob one of the home's occupants, authorities said.

All five occupants, who were asleep at the time, were evacuated safely.

Bristol Township Police reviewed surveillance videos from multiple businesses and residences in the area. Footage from one neighboring home showed a man, later identified as Montoya, lighting an object, believed to be a flare, and throwing it into the van.

Further surveillance footage led detectives to a gray/silver SUV, which was traced to its owner, Thomas Parker.

The investigation found that Parker gave Montoya a ride to the location so that he could rob someone for drugs. Parker dropped off Montoya at the corner of Cedar Avenue and State Road and waited for him to return after the robbery. When Montoya returned to the vehicle, he told Parker he had set the van on fire, according to a criminal complaint.

Detectives served a search warrant on Montoya's cell phone, revealing a conversation he had with a person later identified as Charles Vandenberg.

In the text conversation, Vandenberg told Montoya, "Need that van torched," and Montoya replied, "Can I get 10Gs in two bags?" Vandenberg also instructed Montoya to "Get a road flare."

Montoya and Vandenberg were charged with three counts of arson, six counts of recklessly endangering another person, and one count each of dangerous burning, possession of explosive or incendiary materials or devices, risking catastrophe, criminal mischief, possession of an instrument of crime, criminal use of a communication facility, and conspiracy to commit arson, authorities said.

Vandenberg was also charged with criminal solicitation to commit arson.

Parker was charged with criminal conspiracy to commit robbery and hindering apprehension.

Vandenberg was arraigned on Friday by Magisterial District Judge Terrence Hughes and was sent to Bucks County Correctional Facility under $350,000 bail.

Montoya and Parker will be arraigned at a later time, authorities said.