SOUTHBRIDGE, Mass. — On Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at approximately 9:30 PM, Arthur Burnham DOB: 01/23/70 entered the rear parking lot of the Southbridge Police Department and set an unoccupied police vehicle on fire using a bucket of gasoline as an accelerant.
Burnham was witnessed to be committing the act and also seen cheering with his arms raised in air once the vehicle was engulfed in flames.
In cell phone video obtained by FOX25 (seen below), a man can be heard laughing and yelling “It’s on fire!” before he’s arrested. Burnham can also be heard yelling “They’re civil rights violators!” at the officers.
Burnham was placed into custody and charged with Arson of a motor vehicle and malicious destruction of property.
The cruiser was taken to a Southbridge tow yard. The back was burned and the front and rear windows were blown out. The most significant damage was on the back rear passenger side.
A not guilty plea was entered at his arraignment Wednesday. He was held without bail and ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation before returning to court next month.
