Investigators say they've solved mystery of cars set on fire in Springfield neighborhood
Harrison KeeganA man is wanted on several felony charges after investigators say he started fires at a house and on numerous cars in a Springfield neighborhood.
Cody Linder, 34, was charged Thursday with first-degree arson and two counts of knowingly burning.
According to a probable cause statement, Springfield firefighters responded to an area just south of Parkview High School early Oct. 2 for a house fire and two car fires.
The house fire was on Ildereen Street, and the two vehicle fires were a block away on Minota Street.
The statement says there were six people inside the house on Ildereen when the fire started just after 2 a.m., but they were all able to get out safely thanks to a working smoke alarm.
The statement says a fire marshal was called out to investigate, and he determined the fires had been intentionally set.
Ten days later, the statement says the same house on Ildereen Street and three more vehicles were set on fire in the middle of the night. Investigators say the same modus operandi was used in the Oct. 12 fires as the Oct. 2 fires.
The statement says authorities identified Linder as a suspect in the fires because he has a personal connection to the residents of the house on Ildereen Street.
Also, two witnesses were shown a photo lineup and identified Linder as a man they saw acting suspiciously in the neighborhood on the night of the first fires, according to the statement.
Court documents say Linder has prior convictions for robbery and armed criminal action.
Online records indicate a warrant has been issued for Linder's arrest. He does not have an attorney listed for this case.
First-degree arson carries a possible 15-year prison sentence in Missouri.
More crime and public safety news: