Police Investigating String Of Car Arsons In Portsmouth, NH
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (CBS) -- Police are investigating a string of car arsons that happened Saturday in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Police officers were called to Melbourne Street around 4:30 a.m. for a report of a car completely engulfed by flames and damaged beyond repair, according to a press statement released Saturday by Portsmouth Police.
About 2 1/2 hours later, police were called to an interior car fire on Chapel Street shortly after 2 a.m., and when they arrived it had already been put out, according to a statement released by Portsmouth Police Saturday.
Investigators say they also received several additional calls to Howard, Manning, Marcy, Melbourne, Middle and Washington streets between Saturday morning and afternoon. Some items inside the cars were either stolen or lit on fire, police say.
"I think the count is up to nine car breaks...so nine vehicles had been gone through, where items had been taken or rummaged (through)," Portsmouth Police Lt. Darrin Sargent told WBZ-TV's Jim Smith, "Six of which a fire was started or attempted, so that's insult to injury I guess you could say.
Sargent added that there was "significant damage" due to fire.
If your car was gone through, police ask that you call them and do not touch anything inside the vehicle.
Anyone with information is asked to call Portsmouth Police at (603) 436-2145.