SCRANTON – City police filed charges against two 11-year-olds and a 12-year-old for their alleged role in the arson at Gerrity’s Supermarket in the Keyser Oak Center on Monday, Feb. 13.

Police allege that the juveniles set fire to wooden pallets and plastic milk cartons behind the shop. The fire extended to the building and damaged a produce cooler, Gerrity’s co-owner Joe Fasula said Tuesday.

During the investigation, police worked with Gerrity’s loss prevention officer Terry McDonnell who provided “surveillance footage of the actors just before the fire was set.”

The three juveniles, who are not named in Wednesday’s press release, allegedly returned on Feb. 14, “entered the store and were caught shoplifting.” Employees and McDonnell positively identified the juveniles from the arson investigation, the release states.

All three will face arson and retail theft charges through the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office. They were released to their parents after providing Scranton Fire Marshal Martin Monahan with details of their actions on Wednesday.

Other fires near Gerrity’s that occurred on Feb. 10 are still under investigation. Scranton Detective Capt. Al Leoncini indicated that those brush fires may be connected to the Gerrity’s arson, but no additional charges have been filed.