Fire Marshals Arrest Temple Arson Suspect

A 20-year-old man suspected of breaking into a city facility in Temple and setting fire to city property back in February was taken into custody Wednesday.

In a news release from Temple Fire and Rescue, the suspect was identified as Daniel Mitchell. He was arrested Wednesday and charged with criminal mischief.

KWKT-TV's Roland Richter reports that Mitchell is accused of setting a golf cart on fire at Sammons Golf Course, driving another cart into a lake, and driving yet another into a ditch. Mitchell was released from the Bell County Jail after posting $50,000 bond.

Temple Fire & Rescue Public Information Officer Santos Soto III reports that the fire marshal's office has investigated 16 fires so far in 2020 - 9 of which were determined to have been caused intentionally. Soto III reminds the public that arson is a felony offense, and encourages anyone with information regarding fire related crimes to contact the fire marshal's anonymous tip line at (254) 298-5955.