ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. – Investigators in St. Charles County say a man torched the home of two people who were letting him stay at the residence.
According to the St. Charles County Police Department’s probable cause statement, the arson took place in the overnight hours of Thursday, May 23, in an unincorporated part of the county.
Police claim Joseph G. Garza (age not provided) set a fire on the porch of the home around 3:30 a.m. Security video from the victims’ home and a neighbor show Garza walking to and from the residence. The neighbor’s surveillance video also shows the porch fully engulfed by 3:44 a.m.
When questioned by investigators, Garza denied knowledge of the fire and said he had no problems with the homeowners. He acknowledged they were letting him stay at the house and were trying to help him.
Garza allegedly told police the homeowners were not at the residence. Police said the victims were asleep in the home with their two dogs. Garza said he had no intention of hurting the homeowners.
The St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Garza with first-degree arson. Garza remains jailed on a $100,000 cash-only bond. He’s due in court on Wednesday, May 29, for a seven-day bond hearing.
