Arson suspect: ‘We are going to burn down Shakespeare’

The Shakespeare theater, in Stratford, burns to the ground early Sunday morning, Jan. 13. The Shakespeare theater, in Stratford, burns to the ground early Sunday morning, Jan. 13. Photo: Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media File Photo Buy photo Photo: Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media File Photo Image 1 of / 20 Caption Close Arson suspect: ‘We are going to burn down Shakespeare’ 1 / 20 Back to Gallery

BRIDGEPORT — Minutes after midnight on Jan. 13, Vincent Keller allegedly sent a text message to his girlfriend: “Goodnight we are going to burn down Shakespeare.”

About half an hour later, Keller and two friends — Logan Caraballo and Christopher Sakowicz — did just that, according to arrest warrants made public after the three were arraigned in connection with the fire that destroyed the Shakespeare theater in Stratford.

The suspects were arraigned behind closed doors in Bridgeport Superior Court on Tuesday before Judge Frank Iannotti, where their cases were formally transferred to adult court and their identities were made public.

The judge set bond at $100,000 for Keller, 18, of Stratford; $175,000 for Sakowicz, 18, of Stratford; and $100,000 for Caraballo, 17, of Shelton. All three are scheduled to return to court on April 23 to face a judge again, when the cases will be called in open court.

All three have been charged with first-degree arson, first-degree burglary, first-degree reckless endangerment and second-degree criminal trespass in connection with the Shakespeare theater fire.

According to arrest warrants, the case broke late last month, when Caraballo’s mother called a state police arson tip line reporting that her son had received a SnapChat message that two of his friends, Keller and Sakowicz, had set the fire.

The warrants say all three are students at Bunnell High School in Stratford, though court documents list Caraballo’s current address as in Shelton.

In interviews with police, Sakowicz and Keller initially denied being involved, and offered their cell phones to police as proof that they didn’t set the fire.

However, the warrants say police found “substantial criminal evidence” on Keller’s phone, including incriminating text messages he sent to friends.

‘DO NOT TELL A SOUL’

According to the warrant, after Keller messaged his girlfriend saying, “we are going to burn down Shakespeare,” she replied “oh fun don’t die.” Later, Keller replied, “DO NOT TELL A SOUL ABOUT TONIGHT,” police said.

In subsequent interviews, police said, Sakowicz and Keller admitted to setting the fire.

The warrants say Caraballo picked up Sakowicz and Keller and drove to the theater property, parking in the lot.

Sakowicz and Keller told police they entered the theater through an unlocked rear door. In the basement of the building, Sakowicz allegedly lit a rag on fire and threw it against a wall, after which the fire began to spread.

Police said the three teens then left the building as the flames continued to spread and went to a Wendy’s for food and stopped for gas in Milford, after which they could see the conflagration from Interstate 95.

According to the warrants Sakowicz kept an alarm panel from the theater as a souvenir, which he later turned over to police.

Suspect’s mother: ‘I’m devastated’

Outside the courtroom, a woman who identified herself as Sakowicz’s mother, but declined to give her full name, apologized on behalf of her son.

“I’m devastated. I’m heartbroken,” she said. “I can’t believe it, I’m sorry.”

She said her son was an honor student who planned to pursue a career in aviation after high school.

“They ruined everything,” she said.

Isaias Luis Pedraza, a public defender who represented Sakowicz at Tuesday’s hearing, declined to comment.

Caraballo was released to his mother’s custody after posting bond Tuesday afternoon, while Keller and Sakowicz were still behind bars as of about 4 p.m.

The judge ordered them to be under house arrest except for attending school, with their movements to be monitored electronically by court officials.

More charges expected

Frank Riccio II, Keller’s lawyer, said his client and Sakowicz would likely be charged in a number of other recent fires. He said Keller was scheduled to appear at Waterbury Superior Court Wednesday in connection with a Jan. 15 blaze in a vacant building at the Southbury Training School.

Keller’s parents attended his arraignment, but Riccio said he told them not to post bond yet.

“I’ve advised that my client not post yet because there’s other warrants,” the lawyer said.

Other fires that police sources said are attributed to the teens:

Feb. 8: Vacant house on Richards Place in West Haven destroyed by fire.

Feb. 17: Former Bilco Co. in West Haven damaged by fire.

March 9: Truck set afire at Good Earth Tree Care on Longbrook Avenue in Stratford.

March 24:A fire that damaged construction trailers at Silver Sands State Park in Milford.

Staff writer Daniel Tepfer contributed to this story.