4 arrested in string of arsons
Arson is suspected in a fire that destroyed a vacant building Sunday afternoon west of Moses Lake.
GRANT COUNTY - Four people suspected of starting at least 16 arson fires across Grant, Adams and Franklin counties were arrested recently after returning to the scene of a fire.
Teresa A. Farris, 24, of Othello; Eli J. Johnson, 24; his half-brother Arthur Raymond Johnson, 36; and Nicole M. Monk, 31, all of Eltopia, were booked into Franklin County Jail on suspicion of arson, malicious mischief and criminal trespassing in an alleged arson spree over the weekend. The information was released by the Grant County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday.
Law enforcement in the three counties are still investigating the incidents, but evidence so far suggests the four set out Friday night, starting a series of fires in Franklin and Adams counties, damaging or destroying abandoned buildings and other property, according to a sheriff's office news release.
The spree continued into Grant County, including fires that destroyed four haystacks valued at $300,000 and an abandoned former army barracks in Mae Valley Sunday.
In all, the four are suspected of setting four fires in Franklin County, eight in Grant County, and at least four fires in Adams County.
The suspects were arrested Sunday night after reportedly returning to a fire scene in Connell. A deputy sheriff noticed they were driving a car which matched the description of a vehicle witnesses said previously fled the scene, according to the sheriff's office.
Grant County Sheriff Tom Jones said a resident's tip helped to focus the investigation on the four suspects.
"With that information, Grant County sheriff's deputies and Grant County Fire Marshal investigators were able to follow up and develop information which ties these four to the Grant County fires," he said. "It was a good arrest by the Franklin County deputy, who undoubtedly stopped the suspects before anyone got hurt."
The incidents are still under investigation and anyone with information about suspicious fires that happened this past weekend are asked to contact investigators. In Grant County, call 509-762-1160 or send an anonymous tip to crimetips@co.grant.wa.us. Those in Adams County can call sheriff's dispatch at 509-659-1122.