Samuel Joseph Gomes, 40, of East Fifth Street, Lansdale Borough (Credit: Hilltown Police)
A Lansdale man has been charged in connection with a 2024 structure fire that destroyed a shed on a residential property in Silverdale Borough, Bucks County, according to Hilltown Township Police.
Samuel Joseph Gomes, 40, of the 30th block of East Fifth Street, was arrested on June 6, following a year-long investigation into the blaze, which occurred on June 17, 2024, at about 10:54 p.m. at 158 West Main Street. Responding officers arrived to find the shed fully engulfed in flames. The structure, which lacked electrical service and contained no flammable materials, was deemed a total loss.
An investigation conducted by the Bucks County Fire Marshal determined the fire was intentionally set and classified the cause as incendiary.
Detectives with Hilltown Township Police Department led the follow-up investigation, which ultimately identified Gomes as the individual responsible, police said.
Gomes has been charged with felony charges of arson, burglary, and criminal mischief (two counts). He was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Regina Armitage in New Britain, where bail was set at 10 percent of $100,000. He posted bail the same day and was released from the Bucks County Correctional Facility.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 22 at 1:15 p.m. before Armitage. Gomes is represented by private defense attorney Rory Driscole of Bethlehem.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
