Crime & Safety
Peabody Man Faces Arson and Drug Possession Charges
A 33-year-old Peabody man allegedly set fire to a closet in a friend's home after the man refused to let him hide out there.
Salem police arrested a Peabody man Tuesday evening following a reported arson incident at a North Salem home.
Police and firefighters responded to a home on Mason Street at 7:54 p.m. on a report of a man intentionally lighting things on fire inside.
Matthew J. Block, 33, of 14 Whitney Dr., Peabody, was subsequently arrested on charges of arson and possession of a Class C drug. Class C substances include prescription drugs.
Block was arraigned on those charges, in addition to his third shoplifting offense, in Salem District Court on Wednesday, reports the Salem News.
He pleaded not guilty. The paper reports authorities say Block set fire to a basement closet as retaliation against the man who lived at the home -- a friend -- because he didn't let Block hide out after being caught shoplifting at a nearby gas station.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
