Three Levittown men, one a volunteer firefighter, have been charged with setting a Bensalem mansion on fire with the intent to destroy it, police announced Tuesday morning.
Credit: Bensalem Police
The three men – listed below – are charged with arson and related offenses.
- Dennis Rose III, 19, of Flame Hill Road, Levittown
- Michael Kurfuss, 19, Ruby Lane, Levittown
- Nicholas Ricciardi, 21, Idlewood Road, Levittown
Advertisements
The group set fire to the Croydon Mansion, a 237-year-old historic house on Gibson Road in Bensalem, just before 12:30 p.m. on February 22, Bensalem police said.
The fire caused “substantial damage” to the historic building, according to a press release, and was ruled an arson by police and fire department officials.
The trio “broke into the structure and deliberately set the fire with the intent to destroy the 237-year-old mansion,” police said.
Advertisements
Bensalem officials said the investigation expanded to include Bristol Township police.
Ricciardi is a volunteer firefighter for a station in Bristol Township, police said. As of 11 a.m., it is unclear which department Ricciardi served with.
Advertisements
According to police, the three were part of a group called the “Black Flag Family” gang and were arrested in February for an armed robbery in Bristol Township. Police have said in the past the group is suspected of being involved in several other crimes. Six people were arrested in connection with the group.
The three were video arraigned Tuesday by Bensalem District Judge Leonard J. Brown. Police said bail was set at 10 percent of $200,000.
