Two suspects arrested in arson case

Posted 11/7/19

By Tim Schmidt Record Managing Editor Two suspects were arrested Friday for their alleged role in setting a fire that heavily damaged a Truesdale business three days earlier. The male suspects, ages …

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Two suspects arrested in arson case

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Record Managing EditorTwo suspects were arrested Friday for their alleged role in setting a fire that heavily damaged a Truesdale business three days earlier.The male suspects, ages 20 and 15, set fire to pine cones and leaves that were placed inside a truck that was parked inside the garage, according to the probable cause statement.The Jan. 5 fire damaged a building housing Brockfeld’s Gunsmithing and Firearms, located at 727 E. Main St. in Truesdale, and two vehicles.The damage to the building and property was estimated at $150,000, with $3,500 worth of damage to the two vehicles, Truesdale Lt. Rich Black reported.The adult suspect was identified as Michael Allen Lehmann, of the 2200 block of Highway F in Wright City. Prosecutors charged him with two felonies for second-degree burglary and first-degree property damage. He was booked on a $15,000 bond.The second suspect was identified as a 15-year-old boy from the Warrenton area. His name is not being released because he is a juvenile.Black said one of the suspects was quickly identified thanks to an acquaintance who reached out to police.“One of the suspects talked to somebody, he came in and it bothered him,” Black said. “The reward money (from the state’s arson hotline) probably had something to do with it too.”Firefighters were dispatched around 1:47 a.m. Jan. 5 after a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper drove by the business and observed smoke coming from the structure. Flames were shooting from the garage’s roof when the first firefighters arrived within minutes of being dispatched. Six fire agencies responded to the blaze.The fire was determined to have been intentionally set within hours of the blaze.During an interview, Lehmann admitted to entering the building with the teen and explained how the fire was started in the cab of a truck, according to the probable cause statement.Warrenton Fire Chief Mike Owenby complimented Truesdale police officers for their investigation.“I am extremely pleased with their work,” he said. “They did an absolutely fabulous job in finding the information so quickly.”Michael Lehmann


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