(Emmetsburg)– Palo Alto county authorities say they’ve arrested three teens in connection with a rash of arson fires set at vacant farm sites throughout the county over the past two years.
The Sheriff’s Office says the investigation goes back to July of 2007 when the first fires were reported on vacant farm sites in West Bend Township near the Pocahontas county line.
Authorities say over the course of the next two years and with a fire as recent as July 6th of this year in Rush Lake Township, a total of 13 arson fires were set. Property ranging from old farm houses, building sites, vehicles and machinery parked near the old buildings were burned in nine townships in Palo Alto county. Property damage totaled nearly 25-thousand dollars.
As a result of their investigation, authorities today (Monday) filed charges against three Emmetsburg teens.
19-year-old Lucas Ezarski was charged with second degree arson…a class “C” felony; and fifth degree theft.
17-year-old Mason Hoffman was charged with two counts of second degree arson…a class “C” felony; and fifth degree theft.
And 18-year-old Jacob Firkins was charged with second degree arson…a class “C” felony.
The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in the investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office, the West Bend, Mallard, Emmetsburg, Graettinger and Rodman Fire Departments, the Pocahontas County Sheriff’s Office and the Palo Alto County Attorney’s Office.
