Accused Arsonist Is Abandoned By Getaway Driver, and Gets Arrested In Lower Moreland
by Alex Lloyd Gross
On March 10, 2024, two males were out on the 2200 block of Pine Road. They were up to no good, police said. One male stayed in a vehicle, while the other went onto the front porch of aa house.. His name is Michael Gonsalves. Someone saw him on the porch at 4:07 AM and called police. He had allegedly set the front porch on fire.
As he saw police arrive, he tried to get back to his friend in the getaway vehicle. His friend was not having it and drove off at high speed without him. Michael Gonsalves panicked and tried to get away and hide from police.. so he started to run. Police chased after him. .He was wearing black pants and a reflective hooded sweatshirt. He was easy to follow and officers were able to apprehend him in a nearby yard.
Police were able to put out the fire using an extinguisher and there were no injuries. Gonsalves was charged with:
(1) COUNT OF 3301 A1I ARSON-DANGER OF DEATH OR BODILY INJ (1) COUNT OF 5104.2 A EVADING ARREST OR DETENTION ON FOOT (1) COUNT OF 5506 LOITERING AND PROWLING AT NIGHT TIME (1) COUNT OF 2705 RECKLESSLY ENDANGERING ANOTHER PERSON (1) COUNT OF 3302 A CAUSING CATASTROPHE (1) COUNT OF 3304 A1 CRIM MISCH/DMG PROP INTENT RECKLESS OR NEGLIG (1) COUNT OF 3503 (B.1)(1)(II) CRIMINAL TRESPASS/SIMPLE TRESPASSER (1) COUNT OF 2702 A1 AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
No motive was given and police have not yet arrested the driver of the car.