Sentinel staff report–
Authorities arrested a 26-year-old Citrus Heights man on Tuesday in connection with an arson incident at an elementary school in Texas, located about 90 miles northwest of Houston.
According to the Burleson County Tribune, authorities believe Chance Loran Jame Downard and another 35-year-old Sacramento man entered Somerville Elementary School around 2 a.m. on June 28 and started a fire in a classroom. Vandalism was also reported in several other classrooms, as well as damage to some computers and other equipment.
The school’s superintendent told The Tribune that someone had “placed a microwave on top of the stove in the Life Skills classroom and turned on the stove to start a fire.” The paper also reported that the school’s fire alarm did not activate, which controls the sprinkler system. Repairs are expected to take several weeks.
The two suspects are reportedly being held on $70,000 bond and have been charged with felony arson, burglary and criminal mischief. Authorities were able to identify the men after reviewing security video and questioning local residents, The Tribune reported.
The name of the other suspect arrested is Tyler John Lonneman, of Sacramento. Possible motives behind the incident were not included in The Tribune’s article, which was published July 8.