Illegal alien charged with arson

An illegal immigrant with detainers from both Montgomery County Adult Probation and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, was in court March 10 facing charges of felony arson and reckless endangerment after allegedly setting fire to his Royersford residence while an 8-year-old child was inside it, according to officials.

Parag D. Patel, 24, a resident of the 800 block of Walnut Street, Royersford, and a citizen of India, was charged with first-, second- and third-degree arson, dangerous burning, risking a catastrophe and recklessly endangering another person Feb. 24. Police allege Patel intentionally set the fire while a child was in the residence.

According to court papers, Royersford Officer Thomas Godin was on duty around 5:30 p.m. Feb. 24 parked in the 700 block of Main Street when he was approached by Patel. Godin said he knew Patel from prior contacts he had with him. Patel told Godin his gas can was on fire at his residence, and Godin immediately responded to Patel’s residence.

“... Upon my arrival to the front of the building (which is Patel’s residence) I could see black smoke billowing from the rear of the property,” Godin wrote in the affidavit of probable cause.

Godin indicated in the affidavit that he asked Patel whether anyone was in the residence, and Patel indicated an 8-year-old child was inside.

Court papers indicate Godin was able to enter the residence and get the child out before fire officials arrived at the scene. Patel allegedly told police he was filling a snowblower on the property and the fire started as a result of his filling up the snowblower with fuel. However, Godin noted in the affidavit that Patel could not produce a snowblower at the scene and officers were unable to locate one.

Patel, according to court papers, allegedly told another officer he had lied about filling the snowblower because he was “playing with fire” and was afraid to tell the police the truth.

During Patel’s preliminary arraignment before District Judge Walter F. Gadzicki Wednesday, the charge of first-degree arson was dropped, however, Patel was arraigned on the remaining charges.

Patel was taken to Montgomery County Correctional Facility and is awaiting a formal arraignment scheduled for April 28.

Court records show Patel, a former manager of the Country Farms convenience store in the 700 block of Main Street, Royersford, was arrested in May 2009 after he admitted to selling marijuana pipes out of the store to an undercover detective.

Patel was sentenced in Montgomery County Court two years of probation after he pleaded guilty to a charge of possession with intent to deliver drug paraphernalia in connection with the May 2009 incident.

At the time of his sentencing, Patel’s attorney, Brendan M. Campbell said Patel regretted “ever selling the paraphernalia and he understands the seriousness of his actions and accepts complete responsibility,” and noted “I’m confident he [Patel] will complete his probationary period without incident.”

Authorities alleged Patel had bongs, bowls, pipes and other items commonly used by drug users for sale at the store, which was located near schools in the Spring-Ford Area School District.

Additionally, an immigration detainer against Patel from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security indicates Patel was notified March 3 of this year that an “investigation has been initiated to determine whether this person [Patel] is subject to removal from the United States.”

Other details with regard to the detainer from Homeland Security were unavailable.

Officer Godin said police are still investigating Patel’s intent in allegedly setting fire to his own residence, which was for sale at the time he set the fire.

http://montgomerynews.com/articles/2010/03/14/springford_reporter_valley_item/news/doc4b9aa0300b228796779605.txt