LIVERMORE FALLS — A former store owner was arrested Friday, accused of paying someone to set fire to her business last summer.

Erica Poland-Rolfe, who owned The JP Corner Store on Pleasant Street, was charged with arson and criminal conspiracy in connection with a fire at the business on July 26, 2011.

Police said Poland-Rolfe, 29, paid 21-year-old Miguel Cedeno to burn down her store. Other sources say she was hoping to collect an insurance settlement.

Cedeno, of Livermore Falls, was also charged with arson and conspiracy. He was being held at the Franklin County Jail on Friday on unrelated charges.

The fire didn’t amount to much. The suspect, investigators said, removed an air conditioner, poured in a flammable liquid and then lit a match. Fire crews who responded to the 2:30 a.m. blaze were able to quickly knock down flames, limiting damage to about $200, fire officials said.

Almost immediately, an investigator from the Fire Marshal’s Office announced that the fire had been intentionally set and it was deemed arson.

Poland-Rolfe, who bought the store in October 2009, closed it for a short time following the fire. She reopened the business but closed it again recently.

It’s now open under new management.

The Fire Marshal’s Office has been investigating and on Friday investigators went to Poland-Rolfe’s home at 7 Walnut St. in Livermore Falls and arrested her on a warrant.

Cedano was arrested at the jail where he was being held on a charge of breaking into a Farmington mobile home last month. He was being held on $1,000 cash bail.

Poland-Rolfe remained at the Androscoggin County Jail on Friday night where bail was set at $30,000.

Copy the Story Link