The Tuscarawas County Grand Jury has indicted a New Philadelphia man for allegedly trying to set fire to Applebee’s earlier this month.
23-year-old Connor Kokinski faces two high-level felony counts of Aggravated Arson. The first-degree felony alleges Kokinski risked serious harm to the restaurant’s patrons and employees. The second-degree felony is related to damaging the building. Kokinski has been in the Tuscarawas County Jail with bond set at 250-thousand dollars.
Police allege Kokinski started a small fire outside the entrance to Applebee’s overnight on a Thursday between October 1st and 2nd.
Fire Chief Jim Parrish says employees smelled smoke at closing time and called 9-1-1, which prevented a more serious situation. Responding firefighters were able to put it out quickly with a fire extinguisher.
The restaurant did not have to close as damage was limited to that outside part of the building.
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