Arson Suspect Arrested In 2021 Kennett Square Fire

KENNETT SQUARE, PA — A New Jersey man was charged Monday with arson in the May 3, 2021 blaze that destroyed his automotive business in Kennett Square.

Giuseppe DeAngelis of Ventor is free on $250,000 bail after being arraigned before District Judge Albert Iacocca in Kennett Square on charges of arson, insurance fraud and related offenses.

Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan said DeAngelis, the owner of J&G Automotive, 340 Cream St., set his business on fire and collected $278,000 from his insurance to get out of financial trouble.

“DeAngelis believed that the only way to get out of large financial debt was to set fire to his business and cash in a payout,” Ryan said.

The fire was reported at 1:11 a.m. by the suspect’s wife, Elizabeth Cadwalader.

Chester County Fire Marshal John Weer determined the fire was started near a desk where records were kept and in a storage room.

He said the cause of the fire was a melted gas can inside the office area.

Investigators said three of five cameras inside the business were disabled before the fire.

According to investigators:

• Before the fire, PennDOT inspection and emissions records showed the business was not in compliance.
• Records showed that DeAngelis had been suspended from conducting inspections.
• DeAngelis also has a mortgage forbearance, a civil suit, debt to creditors and a negative bank balance.