Suspect in Yeadon fires busted in Arizona
YEADON » A man wanted by Yeadon authorities after he allegedly set fire in 2015 to two businesses, including his own boxing studio, was arrested in Arizona on suspicion of sexually assaulting a woman.
George Turner, 50, of Philadelphia, was arrested Wednesday in Casa Grande, Az., according to a story published online by Casa Grande Dispatch and shared by local authorities.
Turner and another man, 28-year-old Izahia Dawine Green, also of Philadelphia, were identified back in August, 2016, as the men believed to have lit three separate fires involving two businesses in a strip of store on Chester Avenue in August, 2015. Among the businesses was Bang n Body Boxing Studio, which Turner owned and operated out of the rented space.
While Green was taken into custody in 2016, Turner had remained at-large.
According to the Casa Grande Dispatch, a 19-yearold woman reported that she’d been sexually assaulted by Turner early Wednesday. The publication identified Turner as the owner of Casa Grande All Star Boxing Fit.
The victim was reportedly a client of Turner’s and had gone for a training session around 4:30 a.m., when Turner allegedly assaulted her, the publication reported. Turner was being held at the Pinal County Adult Detention Center, according to Pinal County Sheriff’s online log. His bail was set at $100,000 and he is listed to appear for an extradition hearing on Oct. 6.
It was during the course of the sexual-assault investigation that police discovered Turner was wanted in connection with the Yeadon arsons. Arizona authorities believe Turner has used numerous aliases and dates of birth – making it difficult for police to track him.
“Turner was going by the name George Good in Casa Grande,” the publication quoted an Arizona investigator as saying. “He was making an effort not to be identified.”
It was back on Aug. 11, 2015, when Yeadon police and firefighters from multiple departments responded to a blaze at The Wellness Zone, located at 1108 Chester Ave. in Yeadon. Arriving emergency responders forced their way inside, finding a fire in a hall closet. Investigators later determined there were three ignition points – one in the closet and two in the workout room.
A second fire was reported at the Wellness Zone on Sept. 22, 2015. This time, emergency responders found the roof of the building engulfed in flames. While extinguishing the fire, the roof collapsed into the building.
A third fire erupted on Oct. 17, 2015, drawing police and firefighters to Bang n Body Boxing Studio, a business at 1106 Chester Ave. -located next door to The Wellness Zone. Prior to the arrival of firefighters, police found a burning glass jar protruding from a rear window of the building.
Investigations were conducted by Yeadon Detectives Joseph “Jay” Houghton and Ferdie Ingram, as well as the Yeadon fire marshal, Delaware County detectives and the Pennsylvania State Police. All three fires were determined to have been intentionally set with an accelerant identified as a Molotov cocktail, according to charging documents.
Turner and Green were developed as suspects as a result of an email police received in January 2016, according to the affidavits of probable cause for their arrests. The email detailed how each of the fires was started, and the individuals allegedly responsible for setting them.
In May 2016, a second witness came forward, also identifying Turner and Green as being involved in the arsons. The second witness said the two men “worked together and started each fire,” the affidavits state.
In an interview with investigators on June 2, 2016, Green reportedly confessed to participating in two of the three fires. He reportedly said Turner called him on Aug. 11, 2015, and asked him to get him gasoline. Green agreed and then traveled to BP Station on Island Avenue in Philadelphia. Green said he filled several glass bottles with gas and then drove to 1108 Chester Ave. and placed the containers in the parking lot next to the building.
Turner made contact with Green again on Oct. 17, 2015, allegedly telling Green to meet him in the rear of 1106 Chester Ave., according to the documents.
“There, Turner gave Green a Molotov cocktail and directed him to place the device in the building,” which he reportedly did by removing a piece of plywood used to secure a rear window due to damage from the previous fire, according to affidavits.
Though they are charged with two counts of arson, Green and Turner are suspects in all three incidents, Houghton said back in 2016.