By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY
Salina Post
A local man faces multiple requested charges, including three counts of arson, after alleged incidents in central Salina earlier this week.
Officers and Salina Fire Department personnel were sent to the 100 block of S. 10th Street at 1:10 a.m. Wednesday for the report of a car fire. When they arrived, they found a small, white two-door car fully engulfed, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said this morning.
At the time authorities were unable to determine the name of the owner, however, neighbors told police they believed the owner's name was Josh and told them in which apartment he lived, Forrester said. Officers were unable to make contact with anyone in that apartment at that time. They did, however, locate a motorcycle in the parking lot that was registered to Joshua Blex, 42, of Salina.
Later on Wednesday, officers went back to the scene and observed Blex in the parking lot allegedly holding what was believed to be a glass jar filled with gasoline, Forrester said. At that point, Blex was detained.
On Thursday, officers returned to the scene and discovered that part of a fence in the vicinity of the car fire had sustained $600 in damage. They also spoke with a person whose 2000 Pontiac Sunfire had been parked near the car blaze early Wednesday and had sustained $1,000 in damage.
Additionally, overhead lines, including Cox Cable lines, were discovered to have been damaged by the blaze. Damage to the lines was estimated at $50.
A nearby 2007 Dodge Durango had its right rear tire slashed. Damage was estimated at $100.
During the course of the investigation, police determined that Blex allegedly was responsible for the fire to his own vehicle and for the slashed tire, Forrester said. Blex was arrested on the following requested charges, according to Forrester.
●Three counts of arson
●Criminal use of an explosive device
●Criminal damage to property