Pawtucket man accused of setting cars on fire

PAWTUCKET, R.I. -- A young local man had gasoline spilled on his clothing, the Pawtucket police say, and a gas can in his car, but no explanation about why two cars in his neighborhood were burning early Sunday.

Xavier W. Spooner, 18, of 48 Larch St., is being arraigned Monday on two counts of fourth-degree arson, a felony, after being arrested on two suspected arson cases.

Maj. Arthur Martins said a 2000 Cadillac at 86 Slater St. was set on fire at 4 a.m., followed by a 1997 BMW at 14 Bullock St. an hour later. Soon after, police pulled over a vehicle seen fleeing the first fire, finding Spooner and a gas can.

Two other men in the car were not charged, Martins said.