The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-03-02
Home Of One Of Accused Burned
 Down Last April
Sebastiano Raimonte and Frank DeMairO Taken Into Custody-Arrests Total Five Since Local and State Police Started Campaign Against Local Gang

DeMairo, 35, formerly of 552 Wal nut street extension, whose home was burned to the ground last April. It was owned by the Wa terbury Building and Loan Asso- citation, but the accused had some equity in it. He claims to have spent the night in 0 local turkish bath establishment, while waiting for the return of his family from | Worcester, Mass.
 Raimonte is being held at head quarters on the charge of arson in connection with a suspicious fire in kls home several months ago. An explosion preceding the discovery of flames aroused residents of nearby houses and the quick re- sponse of the fire department pre- vented q serious blaze. Holes had been bored into the floor of ? tene- ments and filled with gasoline and oil. For some unexplained reason the gasoline failed to ignite suffi- ciently to fire the dwelling and fre- men had but little trouble extin- gushing the small flames that were in evidence on their arrival.
 Raimonte was not at home at the time of the discovery of the fire at 2:i4 o'clock on the morning of June 25, 1881. He had gone to New York to meet relatives return ing from Italy. Another family re- siding in the house had spent the night at Lake Compounce. Neigh bors had reported seeing car parked in front of the residence late on the evening prior to the fire. They informed the police that two men had loaded some clothing into the machine and had driven away. Raimonte didn't return to Waterbury for several days after the incident and his alibi was &C., cepted. Members of the family, which formerly occupied the place were quizzed, but could offer no explanation of the affair.
 On October 9th the home of An thony Vernale of Gates avenue was burned to the ground. An explos- ion was also reported in this affair." Vernale and his son, Charles, were later arrested ana following trial In the superior court were con- victed on the charge of arson. The father was sentenced to states prison for term of three to five years. The son, who was badly burned at the time of the fire, was given one year in jail.
 The arrest of Mrs Bruna Blekis, 27, of 64 Ayers street was made on Tuesday, January 26th. She Is now in the New Haven county jail awaiting trial. She has been un- able to obtain bonds of $5,000. The Vernales were linked with the sus- picious fire, which occurred in Mrs Blekas' home in 1929. The authori- ties have knowledge also that an- other fire of strange origin broke out In 0 house occupied by the Vernales and Mrs Blekas in Oak vile last September.
 A suspicious fire and burglary occurred several months ago at the home of Dominic Perrotti in the Bunker Hill section. Members of the family were visiting friends when informed that their home was on fire. The authorities have yet to be satisfied concerning Q fire of incendiary origin in tene- ment block on Bra nch street few weeks prior to the suspicious blaze in the Raimonte residence.
 Raimonte's arrest was made to-day by Lieutenant Joseph Stew ems, Detective John Leary and William P. Foley and State Police Sergeant Leo Murphy. The &C., cused will be formally arraigned In court tomorrow morning. A con- tinuance until a later date will un- doubtedly be asked to permit the accused to arraign his defense.