Two Men Charged With Lawrence Car Fires In Alleged Insurance Scam

LAWRENCE (CBS) - Two men have been arrested in connection with deliberately setting fire to several cars at a Lawrence car dealership earlier this year.

Police say Sean Demers, 36, of Dracut, and Alberto Medina, 43, of Methuen have been charged with four counts each of burning cars at Commonwealth Motors back in February.

Demers was arrested last Friday and Medina was arrested Wednesday in what police say was an insurance scam.  Both have also been charged with breaking and entering.

Investigators determined that the fires were set intentionally and damage was estimated at more than $100,000.

Lawrence Fire Chief Brian Moriarty said four vehicles were set on fire outside the dealership's collision shop area. Two other vehicles ended up with heat damage.

Medina is scheduled to be charged on Thursday.

Demers was charged last Friday and has been ordered to stay away from Commonwealth Motors.

A pretrial hearing for Demers has been set for June 5.