Arrest of Colorado Man for Vehicle Arson

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Published on March 31 2017 3:52 pm
Last Updated on March 31 2017 4:29 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

A Colorado man has been arrested by Effingham city police in connection with a suspected vehicle arson incident.

City police arrested 19-year-old Malik V. Murphy of Colorado Springs, Colorado on counts of arson and criminal damage to property. Police responded to a vehicle fire in a grassy area between Crackerbarrel Old Country Store and La Quinta Inn along Avenue of Mid America just after 4pm Thursday. 

(MALIK MURPHY)

The initial call was that the vehicle was on fire in the grass. The caller also advised telecommunicators that there was a man across the street watching the fire. Multiple other calls were received, providing additional information, including a clothing description for the person of interest.

The vehicle, a white SUV, was fully engulfed when officers arrived on scene. Officers providing traffic control along Avenue of Mid America observed a man matching the description of the person watching the fire and asked if they could talk with him about the fire. The suspect, later identified as Murphy, was briefly questioned and subsequently taken into custody. 

The vehicle, which was not reported stolen, was owned by Murphy's parents who reside in Colorado. Further investigation is ongoing by the Bureau of Criminal Investigations.

Murphy is being held in Effingham County Jail with bail set at $7,500.

Effingham Police Chief Jeff Fuesting credited excellent teamwork and communication for the swift conclusion to the incident, and thanked the witnesses who provided "important initial details."