For the second time in three months, arsonists have torched personal vehicles owned by Moorhead police officers, but this latest incident has sparked an arrest.
Henry Lewis 50, whose address is said to be 402 Spruce St., Greenville, was arrested and charged with first-degree arson and trespassing after notice of non-permission.
Lewis turned himself in to authorities on Sunday afternoon, reportedly upon finding out that the police were looking for him.
Chief Bobby Walker said officer Patrick Mitchell’s vehicle was the latest target. It was set afire around 9 p.m. Friday night while it was parked behind the Moorhead police station. “Several witnesses came forward (and) stated that they saw the suspect Henry Lewis running from the scene of the fire,” Walker stated.
He said the fire marshal was notified and a warrant was issued for Lewis’ arrest at that time.
Back on August 17, Officer Jamel Calhoun’s personal vehicle was also burned and Walker attributes the fiery attacks to disgruntled criminals who are upset over the recent crackdown on crimes. “It’s all an attempt to prevent officers from continuing to fight drugs and enforcing the law, they want us to back off…its all retaliation,” Walker said.
