Roslindale Teen 1 of 3 Charged with Arson of Vacant McDonald's

A Roslindale teenager was one of three individuals arrested for setting a vacant West Roxbury McDonald's ablaze late Friday night.

Boston Fire Department responded to the fire at 11:08 p.m. on March 8 at 1663 Veterans of Foreign Wars Parkway.

Firefighters battled a heavy fire, and were forced out of the building. No injuries were reported. The Boston Fire Department estimated that the fire caused around $100,000 in damage. 

According to BPDnews.com, officers found fresh footprints leading away from the building from the open back door. Police followed the tracks to the Charles River. Boston, Dedham and State police then found three teenagers climbing out of the river.

Dedham Police allegedly caught 19-year-old James McManus of West Roxbury behind the Irish Ale House in Dedham. McManus was wearing wet clothes and was taken to Faulkner Hospital.

Denis Florez, 18, of Roslindale, was caught nearby, also wearing wet clothes and was taken to Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

Police said that Mark Collins, 18, of West Roxbury showed up at the scene barefoot wearing wet clothing. Collins was taken to Faulkner Hospital.

Collins reportedly told officers that the three youths had been in the vacant McDonald’s and accidentally started the fire.

Collins and Florez were arrested and charged with arson and breaking and entering. McManus was issued a summons to court on the same charges.

The Boston Fire Department estimated that the fire caused around $100,000 in damage.