Two Arrested Following Fire at Scotti's Farm Stand in Niantic

Fire investigations often take months but East Lyme Police arrested two suspects within hours of a fire at Scotti's Farm Stand on July 20.

The Niantic Fire Department quickly extinguished the fire, which was reported at Scotti's Farm Stand at 93 Black Point Road in Niantic shortly at 2:16 a.m.. The East Lyme Fire Marshall ruled the blaze "suspicious."

Investigators believe the fire started when a light bulb was covered with a cloth during an attempt to rob the stand, which caused the canopy to catch fire. East Lyme Police Department began investigating the matter and by that afternoon they had two suspects in custody. 

Peter J. Zalamania, 23, of 25 Ocean Avenue in Niantic was arrested at 4:55 p.m. and charged with burglary in the third degree, larcency in the sixth degree, and criminal mischief in the third degree. Bond was set at $5,000.

Cassia Elizabeth Morris, 22, of 62 Vivian Street in Waterford was arrested at 5:02 p.m. and charged with burglary in the third degree and larceny in the 6th degree. Bond was set at $1,000.