Suspect sought for arson attempt
By George P. Hassett

   Somerville police are looking for an 18 year old black male after his ex-girlfriend reported an attempted arson Saturday. The man allegedly splattered gasoline onto the hallway floors, attempting to spark it with a pack of matches, while threatening residents and holding a red gas can in his hands.

    The woman was visiting her cousin when she saw her ex, standing in the rear door of the Alewife Brook Parkway apartment hallway. They had a conversation and an argument ensued. Police said the woman went back into the apartment while the man stayed in the hallway yelling and writing about her on the wall.
     At that point, the woman‚Äôs cousin entered the hallway and, according to police, witnessed the suspect trying to set the dwelling on fire, but failing because the matches kept blowing out. She told police the suspect said, ‚ÄúI‚Äôm going to do it,‚Äù and ‚ÄúI‚Äôm going to burn you,‚Äù numerous times.
     The witness began to scream and called 911. When police arrived, they applied a solution to the hallway floors to absorb the gasoline, interviewed witnesses and took pictures to document the crime scene.
     Lt. Paul Upton said police continue to look for the suspect, who could be charged with attempted arson and attempted murder.