SPRINGFIELD, Mass.- A 41-year-old Springfield woman faces an attempted murder charge and three counts of arson after police said she was involved in multiple fires at a Villa Parkway home and later fled from officers.
Aisha Cuffie was arrested at approximately 12:35 p.m. Friday, August 21, after officers located her driving on Knox Street and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, according to the Springfield Police Department.
Police said Cuffie did not stop and collided with two police cruisers during the ensuing pursuit. Officers stopped the vehicle and arrested her in the 100 block of Buckingham Street.
When officers approached Cuffie, police said she was holding a knife but dropped it before being taken into custody. One officer whose cruiser was struck was transported to Baystate for evaluation of possible injuries.
The investigation began at approximately 6:15 a.m. Friday, when officers responded to the 0-100 block of Villa Parkway for a disturbance.
According to police, Cuffie, who was known to the residents, allegedly doused a victim in gasoline and started a fire at the victim’s home. The victim was able to extinguish the fire, and Cuffie allegedly fled in a vehicle.
At approximately 9:30 a.m., officers responded to the same home for a structure fire. The Springfield Fire Department extinguished the fire.
Police said the victims reported that Cuffie had returned and set fire to the home again before fleeing in a vehicle.
Police also said Cuffie allegedly set a recycling bin on fire at the same victims’ home on August 8 and fled from officers attempting to stop her.
Cuffie is charged with three counts of arson, attempted murder, malicious destruction of property over $1,200, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a dangerous weapon involving a knife, failure to stop for police, two counts of leaving the scene of a property damage crash, and leaving the scene of a personal injury crash.
Subscribe to The Shrewsbury Post Updates
