Arrests.
The defendant allegedly set the fire in the early morning hours.
Felony arson via reckless burning charges were held for formal arraignment in Bucks County Common Pleas Court Thursday against a man who allegedly set fire to contents of a Dumpster behind a pizza shop last month.
Michael Lee Satterfield, 41, who has no fixed address, also had charges of misdemeanor disorderly conduct and criminal mischief, and summary dangerous burning, held for his Nov. 25 arraignment, per court records.
Satterfield remains jailed in Bucks County on 10% of $25,000 cash bail, per court records.
Police allege Satterfield appeared at the scene of the crime, talking with firefighters out front, as they fought the fire in the rear of the business.
On Oct. 19 at 12:38 a.m., police were dispatched to Lucatelli’s Pizza at 73 Old Dublin Pike, for a report of a Dumpster fire in the rear of the business, per the complaint. Upon arrival, police found the contents of a large construction Dumpster fully engulfed in flames, police said.
The Dumpster was located in close proximity to the business that there appeared to be significant danger of the building catching fire, police said.
Doylestown Fire Co. arrived and began putting out the fire, per the report. All businesses were closed at the time and there were no evacuations.
A pizzeria employee arrived to let in the fire marshal, who found the Dumpster was within five feet behind the walk-in freezer of Lucatelli’s and the fire marshal determined that smoke and water entered the business, police said. The fire marshal then notified the county Health Department, per the report.
Police were provided video footage of the exterior of the business, which showed an unknown person wearing dark clothing, with a dark hood over a light-colored hood, and a red backpack, intentionally setting fire to the contents of the Dumpster, police said.
The video allegedly shows Satterfield at 11:24 p.m. walking toward the Dumpster and throwing something inside before walking away. Three minutes later, the video shows Satterfield returning to the Dumpster and attempting to light something inside, police said.
At 11:28 p.m., Satterfield allegedly returned to the Dumpster with something in his left hand, dropped it inside, and walked away. By 11:30 p.m., the Dumpster contents are on fire, police said.
The fire marshal declared the incident arson, police said.
Police recognized Satterfield from prior contacts, per the affidavit, and began searching for him at 2:08 a.m. By 2:32 a.m., police allegedly found Satterfield across the street from Lucatelli’s, at the Acme at 480 N. Main St. in Doylestown Township.
Satterfield was taken into custody, police said. He was wearing a black jacket with a hood over a green sweatshirt, which was over a light-colored hoodie, and a red Mario Bros. backpack, police allege.
A lighter and matches were found on Satterfield, police said.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
