A 19-year-old Temple man was behind bars Wednesday night after fire marshals reportedly connected him to two suspected arson cases from November.

Temple Fire Department spokesman Thomas Pechal identified the suspect as Dakota William Eschberger in a media release Wednesday evening.

According to Pechal, evidence and witness statements indicate that Eschberger started a fire in the laundry room of a single-story wood frame house at 304 North 7th Street in Temple on November 16, as well as another fire on the front porch of a home at  1319 South 23rd Street on November 27.

A warrant for Eschberger’s arrest was issued December 17, and he was booked into the Bell County Jail December 20. Mr. Eschberger has been charged with arson – a second degree felony. His bond was set at $50,000.

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