One in custody after fire fills Westborough police station lobby; damage at $250K

WESTBOROUGH — A West Roxbury woman is alleged to have set fire Sunday night to a charity clothing box in the lobby of the Westborough police station on West Main Street, authorities said.

Police arrested Theresa Abichaker, 22, after the 8:19 p.m. incident, according to a Police Department release.

Police charged Abichaker with three counts each of burning a public building and attempted burning of a public building and one count each of vandalism and fire negligence.

According to the release, Abichaker was a passenger of a car that was involved in an accident and police had brought her to the station as a courtesy to wait for a ride. Shortly after her arrival, smoke alarms sounded and there was heavy smoke in the lobby. Police evacuated the building and the fire alarms sounded.

According to the release, officers reviewed video that allegedly showed Abichaker lighting the clothing box on fire and then leaving the building.

Police said there was a multi-agency search involving a police dog and a drone to find her before her arrest.

Fire Chief Patrick Purcell estimated the fire caused about $250,000 worth of damage.

The fire remains under investigation by Westborough police, the state Fire Marshal's Office and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Abichaker was scheduled to be arraigned Monday in Westborough District Court.

Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on X @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: One in custody after fire fills lobby of Westborough police station