A Lancaster man will serve up to 20 years in prison for setting fire to a Lancaster repair shop, causing over $600,000 in damages.
Andy Irizarry continued to deny his involvement in the Dec. 10, 2016, fire at Doctor Tire, 444 South Prince Street, even while recently standing for sentencing in Lancaster County Court.
County Judge Donald Totaro reminded Irizarry that a jury unanimously determined he was guilty of felony arson and conspiracy at a February trial. The jury decided the case after deliberating 20 minutes.
Judge Totaro ordered Irizarry, 37, serve 4½ to 20 years in prison, and pay $614,607 in restitution costs.
First Assistant District Attorney Christopher P. Larsen, who won the conviction, countered Irizarry’s denial by saying it was Irizarry who bought the gas used to start the fire, as shown on surveillance video at a nearby Turkey Hill store.
Larsen also pointed out that Irizarry was in a vehicle, with other individuals, that initially parked near the shop, then returned after the gas pick-up – around 11 p.m.
Larsen presented evidence at trial that a Molotov cocktail was thrown into a window of the repair shop, and additional gasoline was used to set the building ablaze.
No one was inside at the time.
Lancaster city police Detective Adam Dommel filed charges.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright