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42-Year-Old Webster Man Arrested for Restaurant Fire, Break-ins

By Tom Marino | March 29, 2022
Last Updated: March 29, 2022

WEBSTER – A man in custody in Webster faces charges related to two break-ins, an attempted break-in, setting a fire, and an attempt to start a fire, all taking place in one night in Webster.

Webster Police previously released the image of Joel Batista-Viera, 42, of Webster, to the public. Investigators also attempted to locate him several times. In response, Batista-Viera arrived at the Webster Police Department on the morning of Monday, March 28, and placed into custody after questioning.

Around 2 AM on Friday, March 18, Webster Police, Fire and EMS responded to a fire alarm at the Wind Tiki restaurant at 154 Thompson Road. The first at the scene, a Webster Police officer, found heavy smoke coming from the building, the rear entrance unsecured, and loose change on the ground.

The fire turned into a three-alarm blaze that Webster firefighters and supporting departments from surrounding towns battled for several hours. The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services joined Webster Detectives in the investigation.

At 7:30 AM an employee at Mexicali Restaurant at 41 Worcester Road reported a break-in had occurred overnight. Damage to the surveillance system and evidence of an attempt to start a fire in the restaurant was discovered. The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services also joined Webster Detectives in this investigation.

Despite damage to the surveillance system at Mexicali Restaurant, footage was able to be recovered.

While investigators were at Mexicali, a Webster Patrol unit discovered evidence of an attempted break-in at Lake Pizza at 39 Thompson Road during the overnight hours. The business was not accessed and surveillance footage was recovered by detectives.

Detectives in Webster were able to collect footage from surveillance systems from several sources in the area of Thompson Road and identified a man in video from the Mobil at 144 Thompson Road who they believed to be the same individual in footage from Wind Tiki and Lake Pizza.

Police released the photo of Joel Batista-Viera, 42, of Webster, to the public and made several attempts to locate him. Batista-Viera arrived at the Webster Police Department on the morning of Monday, March 28.

Police arrested Batista-Viera after questioning, leading to several charges.

Related to Wind Tiki Restaurant, 154 Thompson Road:

  • Breaking and Entering into a Building in the Nighttime with the Intent to Commit a Felony
  • Larceny from a Building
  • Burning a Building

Related to Mexicali Restaurant, 41 Worcester Road:

  • Breaking and Entering into a Building in the Nighttime with the Intent to Commit a Felony
  • Vandalize Property
  • Attempt to Burn a Building
  • Larceny from a Building

Related to Lake Pizza, 39 Thompson Road:

  • Vandalize Property
  • Attempt to Commit a Crime – to Wit Breaking and Entering

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