Detectives arrested a 26-year-old man accused of setting fire to and destroying a new, $300,000 South Philadelphia playground, police said Monday.
Kevin Beattie of the 2400 block of South Camac Street was arrested Friday after being questioned twice by South Detectives about the arson that ruined the playground in FDR Park, 1500 Pattison Ave.
"I would summarize the motive as sheer stupidity and not realizing how important playgrounds are to the community," said Capt. Laurence Nodiff, commander of South Detectives.
Beattie was one of two men who called 911 at 9:20 p.m. June 17 to report the fire and told police they saw two other men running from the scene, Nodiff said.
