PLYMOUTH-On Friday, October 22, University Police made another arrest in a string of arrests related to the incidents that occurred after the Red Sox overtook the Yankees to win the ALCS title. Eric Pugliese, a PSU from Arlington, MA was charged with arson, a class B felony.
Pugliese allegedly set fire to pine needles near the trees behind the Hartman Union Building and next to School Street, on President Wharton’s property. The pine needles eventually set a small tree ablaze.
Residence director of Mary Lyon Hall, Tony Trodella, reportedly ran for a fire extinguisher, and was able to put the fire out before any damage was caused. An anonymous tip led the police to the arrest of Pugliese on Friday afternoon. Pugliese has been suspended from school along with 5 other students who were involved in the melee.
A total of 17 people were arrested in connection with disturbances surrounding the campus on October 20, 14 of the detainees are students at PSU. Students caught breaking the law face immediate suspension, and, if the found guilty of the charges, the possibility of expulsion. Charges for those arrested include: disorderly conduct, disorderly actions, resisting arrest, and unlawful possession of alcohol.
University police have been in the planning stages if another riot was to break out after the World Series. Sergeant Clark is “hopeful that everyone learned a lesson” from the incidents and repercussions of the last week and a half.
Dean Keefe released a statement to students on Wednesday, warning students that if any arrests were made at the end of the World Series the repercussions would be more serious. There would be school officials waiting at the police station, filing papers, which immediately suspends or expels the violators from PSU.
Students facing charges, including Pugliese, will be arraigned on December 13 at 9 a.m. in Plymouth District Court.