Teenager convicted in Bedford Township fires

7/11/2008

MONROE A Lambertville teenager who confessed to setting fires to unfinished homes in Bedford Township entered into a plea agreement Friday in Monroe County Circuit Court.

Michael W. Sykes, 17, pleaded no contest to two counts of arson of real property for fires that he deliberately started in March to a condominium on Fountain Circle in Crystal Waters Villa and a house on Brentridge Lane.

The fires were set two days apart. Both structures were under construction.

The teenager also entered no contest pleas to malicious destruction of personal property for trying to chop down a utility pole with an ax on March 14 and malicious destruction of police property for damaging a wall inside his cell at the Monroe County jail in May.

The pleas were accepted by Judge Joseph Costello, Jr., who ordered Sykes to return to court on Aug. 7 for sentencing.