Anonymous Tip Leads U.S. Marshals to Pittsburgh Aggravated Arson Suspect in Denver

Denver, CO – After nearly 18 months on the run, a Pittsburgh fugitive wanted for aggravated arson is now in custody thanks to an anonymous tip called in to the U.S. Marshals Service Colorado Violent Offender Task Force. 

Andre Quinones, 30, is wanted by the Allegheny County (PA) Police Department for nine counts of arson in relation to an August 12, 2021 fire which ultimately destroyed a duplex. According to an ACPD media release from August 26, 2021, one woman was present in the home when the fire started. Four firefighters were also injured while battling the blaze when the porch collapsed on top of them. All four suffered burn injuries, one firefighter sustained a leg injury, and one firefighter suffered five broken vertebrae.  An arrest warrant for Quinones in that case was issued on August 20, 2021.

In late February 2023, an anonymous tip was submitted to the U.S. Marshals Service in Denver which provided information about an arson suspect from Pennsylvania possibly being in Denver. Deputy U.S. Marshals with the Colorado Violent Offender Task Force acted on the tip and initiated an investigation in order to corroborate the provided information. The investigation led deputies to a residence near Colfax Ave & Lowell Blvd where Quinones was ultimately observed and later identified.

Yesterday evening, COVOTF members observed Quinones leave the residence and followed him to a storage unit facility near I-70 and I-225. Once there, Quinones was contacted and taken into custody by Deputy U.S. Marshals and Task Force Officers from both the DEA and Lakewood Police Department. 

Quinones was transported to the Denver Downtown Detention Center where he was booked on the outstanding felony arson warrants from Pennsylvania. He is currently awaiting extradition in addition to possible local charges.

“This case proves that no matter how far you run from your crime, whether it be to another city, another state, or even another country, you will eventually be caught and brought to justice,” said Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Katrina Crouse. “Our Colorado Violent Offender Task Force works tirelessly to get dangerous fugitives off the street in an effort to make our communities safer. We thank our outstanding law enforcement partners for their help in this apprehension and we also want to recognize the brave tipster who provided invaluable information in this case. Our thoughts are with the firefighters who suffered injuries as a result of this arson.”

The success of this arrest represents a culmination of extensive cooperative investigative efforts between the U.S. Marshals Colorado Violent Offender Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, the Lakewood Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Western District of Pennsylvania, and the Allegheny County Police Department. 

Colorado Violent Offender Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional fugitive task force that targets the most violent offenders to include those wanted for murder, assault, sex offenses, and other serious offenses throughout the state and country.  Nationally, the U.S. Marshals Service fugitive programs are carried out with local law enforcement in 94 district offices, 85 local fugitive task forces, eight regional task forces, as well as a growing network of offices in foreign countries.          

Tips can be submitted to the U.S. Marshals Service directly and anonymously by downloading the USMS Tips app to your Apple or Android device. You can also follow the latest news and updates about the U.S. Marshals Service on Facebook and Twitter; @USMarshalsHQ or @USMSDenver.