Lynn man charged again with arson

LYNN – A Malden man is slated to be arraigned June 30 in District Court on a charge of burning his ex-girlfriend’s car in a Lynnway parking lot in 2008.Frank Luti, 34, will have the opportunity to enter an innocent plea to the charge which carries a state prison sentence of not more than three years or a house of correction sentence of one year.A tow truck driver filling out paperwork at 10 p.m. on July 13, 2008 told arson investigators he spotted Luti, who has a lengthy criminal record dating back to when he was 17, walk toward the Lynnway from behind Sullivan Tire and saw the SUV burst into flames. Investigators determined the Dodge Durango was stolen in Revere on July 6. Luti was arrested on Commercial Street a short time after the fire.Luti, who was employed as a custodian by St. Mary’s High School in Lynn for a short period in 2008 just prior to the alleged arson, was initially arrested and charged on July 24, 2008 with starting the fire but Fire Lt. David Legere said miscommunication caused the charge to be dropped due to failure to prosecute. A clerk magistrate’s hearing two weeks ago led to the filing of the new charge. Two of Luti’s coworkers told investigators they saw him driving the Durango in the week before the fire.