No Lower Bail for Buena Vista Arson Suspect in EHC Fire
From the Atlantic City Press Published: Friday, November 07, 2008
By REGINA SCHAFFER Staff Writer, 609-272-7211
A request for lower bail was denied for a Buena Vista Township man accused of setting fire to an Egg Harbor City apartment building two weeks ago, leaving 14 people homeless.
Donald J. Lentz, 24, is charged with aggravated arson and terroristic threats in connection with the Oct. 23 incident, which also left the uninsured owner of a destroyed clothing shop next to the building out at least $60,000. Lentz's ex-girlfriend, Sarah Harrington, lived in the apartment building at 147 Philadelphia Ave.
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Lentz has been held at the Atlantic County Jail on $100,000 cash or bond bail since his arrest the day of the fire. The charges have yet to be presented to a grand jury.
Assistant Prosecutor Harlee Stein, who is representing the state, said Lentz has a lengthy history of domestic-violence incidents against Harrington. Three of his last six arrests were for domestic violence, Stein said.
Lentz made several harassing phone calls to Harrington in the hours before the fire, Stein said. According to phone records, the calls stopped about 20 minutes before the blaze started, Stein said. Harrington and her current boyfriend saw Lentz driving away from the scene after the fire started, Stein said.
Stein said Harrington strongly opposed a lower bail for Lentz. She called Lentz "a dangerous person."
"Her fear is (Lentz) will try to finish what he started," Stein said.
Sarah Harrington's mother, Sandra, also addressed the court Thursday, saying she feared for her daughter's life should Lentz get out of jail.
Lentz, who participated in the bail hearing via a video hookup, looked down and seemed to shake his head in disagreement with the charges.
"Can I say something, Your Honor?" Lentz asked, addressing Superior Court Judge Robert Neustadter.
Neustadter advised Lentz to speak with his attorney, public defender Ray Lee, before saying anything about his case.
Addressing the judge, Lee said there was no proof that Lentz had anything to do with the fire.
"There is quite a bit of doubt in my mind as to who or what caused the fire," Lee said. "(Phone calls) are a big leap from setting a fire and burning a building down."
"I didn't even hear that they found him in possession of matches," Lee said. "Maybe a Bic lighter? Something, judge. It's an extremely weak case."
Neustadter said Lentz's bail was not excessive and would not be reduced. Should he post bail, Neustadter issued a no-contact order for Lentz with Harrington or any of the 14 fire victims.
No one is believed to have been injured in the fire, which broke out at about 12:05 a.m. and was extinguished at about 4:30 a.m. Downstairs, the building held Nu Fashion: Authentic Urban Wear and a vacant storefront. Upstairs were apartments, similar to both adjacent buildings, which hold the Venice Grill and La Placita grocery.
Some time between 3 and 4 a.m., Lentz was arrested at his home, authorities said.
Displaced residents of the apartments were staying at the Ramada Inn in Hammonton after the fire. Stein said Thursday that she was unsure where those residents are living now.
E-mail Regina Schaffer: RSchaffer@pressofac.com
