Teen Charged in Shakespeare Fire Charged in West Haven Fires

A teen charged with arson after fire destroyed Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford in January has also been arrested in connection with two fires in West Haven, according to West Haven police.

Chris Sakowicz, 18, of Stratford, and a juvenile have been arrested in connection with structure fires at Bilco, at 37 Water St. in West Haven on Feb. 17, and a vacant home on Richards Place in West Haven on Feb. 8.

Sakowicz was served while at Milford Superior Court on an outstanding arrest warrant in connection with the Water Street fire and charged with conspiracy to commit/criminal trespass in the second degree, criminal trespass in the second degree, arson in the first degree, conspiracy to commit arson in the first degree, criminal mischief in the first degree and conspiracy to commit/ criminal mischief in the first degree.

Charges connected to the Richards Place fire include conspiracy to commit/criminal trespass in the second degree, criminal trespass in the second degree, arson in the first degree, conspiracy to commit/arson in the first degree, criminal mischief in the first degree and conspiracy to commit/criminal mischief in the first degree.

Sakowicz was held on a bond.

He was also previously charged with arson in the first degree, burglary in the first degree, criminal trespass in the second degree and reckless endangerment in the first degree in connection with the fire at the Shakespeare Theatre early on the morning of Jan. 13 and pleaded not guilty to those charges on Tuesday.

He was also charged with arson in the third degree, burglary in the third degree, criminal mischief in the third degree and criminal trespass in the third degree in connection with a fire at Good Earth at 540 Longbrook Ave. in Stratford on March 4. He also pleaded not guilty Tuesday to those charges.  

Sakowicz was also charged in connection with vandalism at construction trailers at Milford's Silver Sands State Park on March 24.

When the Milford Fire Department and EnCon police responded, they found fire in two metal storage containers at the park. Firefighters put out the flames and discovered vandalism.

Sakowicz was charged with criminal trespass, criminal mischief, larceny and criminal attempt to commit criminal mischief in that case, as well as removing and/or obliterating manufactures serial numbers.

He is also accused of setting a fire at an abandoned building in Southbury.

Police have not identified the other suspect in the West Haven cases because of his age.

Contact Us