A 17-year-old Stillwell boy has been charged with two recent arsons in Pleasant Township.
In total, seven suspicious fires occurred in Pleasant Township between October 2009 and Aug. 21, 2010, according to the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office. The teen, whose name is not being released because he is a juvenile, is officially charged with the arson of a garage at 115 Glendale in Stillwell on Aug. 13, and the arson of a vacant home at 302 W. Oak in Stillwell on Oct. 2, 2009.
A task force comprised of investigators from the sheriff’s office, Indiana State Police, Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office and Michigan City and Portage fire departments had studied the fires and identified the boy as a suspect.
The teen faces two Class B felonies. He is in custody at the LaPorte County Juvenile Services Center, according to the sheriff’s office.
During the investigation, the teen filed a false report with the sheriff’s office alleging that he was robbed at gunpoint on Aug. 14 while walking in the 3700 South block of 300 East, the sheriff’s office stated. Investigators determined that he fabricated the crime.
Sheriff Mike Mollenhauer praised the cooperation of all agencies involved.
