Arson suspects arrested

Officials with the Douglas Police Department are reporting two arrests in regards to the suspected burglary and arson of a local downtown business last month.

On October 2 at approximately 2:40 a.m., the Douglas Fire Department, along with officers from the Douglas Police Department, responded to Lott Hardware, 107 West Bryan Street, in reference to a fully involved structural fire. Assistance was required from several other city departments and from other local agencies.The incident caused road closures and disruption of normal business in the downtown area. The original cause of the fire could not be determined at that time. The business and structure were a total loss.

On October 4, investigators from the Douglas Police Department received information indicating the fire had been intentionally set after the business was burglarized. Acting on this information, investigators were able to determine the business had, indeed, been burglarized and the fire was intentionally set. Property recovered during the investigation included two antique riffles, one pistol, and numerous antique and collectible knives.

As of November 4, two individuals have been arrested and charged in connection with the arson and burglary of Lott Hardware.

On October 28, 24-year-old, Andrew Lee Todd was arrested and charged with burglary in the second degree. On November 4, warrants were obtained for the arrest of 29-year-old Steven Bradley Howard for the charges of arson in the second degree and burglary in the second degree. Howard is currently incarcerated in the Coffee County Jail on unrelated charges. Howard is a person of interest in other ongoing investigations.

More charges are expected as the investigation continues and anyone with any information that would assist in this case is asked to contact the Douglas Police Department at (912) 384-2222 or the tips line at (912) 260-3600.