Joseph Halder, who was charged with third-degree arson, is now a suspect in two other structure fires.
A Chippewa County Whitefish Township volunteer firefighter was charged today with setting a building on fire Saturday night.
Joseph Halder appeared in Chippewa County District Court to hear the charges against Mr. Halder. Eric G. Blubaugh.
Halder was charged with third-degree arson. If he is convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.
At approximately 8:45 p.m. Saturday, first responders received a report of a fire at the former Ruth’s Gift Shop in downtown Paradise.
Chippewa County Sheriff Mike Bittner responded to the scene immediately after the call.
He immediately examined surveillance footage from a gas station across the street from the fire scene.
A short time later, officers arrested 35-year-old Halder while extinguishing the fire.
Sheriff Bittner said without the video it would have been much more difficult to find the cause and suspects.
“We were able to review that video and we came up with a suspicious vehicle and a suspect,” Bitner said.
Bittner made sure to point out that this one situation is not representative of other first responders.
“We have great first responders, EMS and firefighters in Chippewa County,” Bittner said. “This does not represent the entire group of volunteers in our county, and if there are people out there who are posing to do a good deed, we will remove them from there. We have to get them out.”
My lord. Blubaugh set bail at $200,000, citing Halder’s extensive criminal history. If Halder was able to post bond, Blubaugh imposed several restrictions on Halder, including wearing a tether.
Bittner is concerned that Halder may be involved in other fires.
“This is the third such structure fire in this area in a short period of time. That in itself is suspicious in a way. Mr. Halder is a person of interest in the last two fires,” Bittner continued.
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Mr. Halder’s next court appearance will be on December 4 at 9:30 a.m. for a preliminary examination.
None of the allegations have been tested in court, and Halder is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
