A Manitowoc County man has been arrested after a months long arson investigation.
Sheriff Dan Hartwig tells SeehaferNews.com that his deputies arrested 57-year-old Kevin J. Staudinger of the Township of Franklin Monday (March 17th) moments after he started a grass fire in the Township of Newton.
The fire was extinguished before it spread, and Staudinger was arrested on five counts of Arson of Property Other Than a Building.
He is believed to be responsible for a string of grass fires throughout the county, which have been investigated by the Sheriff’s Office, Manitowoc County Fire Investigation Unit, the DNR, and local volunteer fire departments.
Staudinger was given a $5,000 recognizance bond and was prohibited from being in possession of alcohol or fire accelerants.
He is due for his initial appearance on April 7th.
Sheriff Hartwig closed his statement saying “We’d like to extend our gratitude to all agencies who assisted with this lengthy investigation. Our collaborative efforts and great working relationships assisted with this arrest.”
