JACKSON TOWNSHIP, Ohio — The Jackson Township Police Department said officers arrested a 15-year-old boy Thursday afternoon in connection with two carport fires at the Lake Cable Village Apartments on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
“It’s sad he’s 15 and he messed his whole life up to do this to people that he didn’t even know,” said Andrea Tomczak. "He hurt a lot of families. He hurt people’s transportation to work."
Tomczak sent News 5 a picture of what her Chevy Cobalt used to look like before it was destroyed.
Now, all Tomczak has left are years of memories that she said will always hold close.
“My mom and my grandma had it sitting right there and they were like ‘Hey, this is your car’ and I was so shocked,” said Tomczak.
Police said the teen has been charged with aggravated arson, a first-degree felony, and arson, a fourth-degree felony. According to police, the teen is a resident of the apartment complex.
No further information about the arrest was provided.
“It sucks because I haven’t had this car for that long, and it’s a brand-new car but I know I have car insurance,” said Taylor Brown, a resident at the apartment complex.
As Brown prepares to say goodbye to her 2025 Buick Encore GX, she said it’s sad that the15-year-old’s alleged actions changed his life and left her neighbors with this painful reminder.
“It makes me feel sad because I talked to a lot of my neighbors and stuff and like that was their only car and some people didn’t have insurance either,” said Brown.
I reached out to Lake Cable Village Apartments, and a staff member said she would pass my contact information along to the property manager.
I haven’t heard back yet, but Brown said she and her neighbors received a letter from management letting residents know they are aware of the incidents and are working with the police.
“It could’ve been like heartfelt because you know a lot of people here are really messed up because of this situation,” said Brown.
“We all would like answers from Lake Cable or at least an apology,” said Tomczak.
Two nights of fire
The fires put residents, like Tomczak and her fiancé, Alfred Tesch, on edge. “At this point, it has to be arson. It’s not a coincidence, and it’s scary,” Tomczak said Wednesday night.
According to a Facebook post from Jackson Township Fire Department, multiple vehicles, including Tomczak’s car, were destroyed in the first carport fire that appears to have happened around 4 p.m. on Tuesday.
The post said the cause of the fire is under investigation.
“I definitely feel like it’s something they’re doing on purpose. The motive is definitely carports right now, and the next thing could be a complex, which is definitely really, really scary,” said Tesch.
While Tomczak is glad no one was hurt, she said her car is a total loss, so her family’s transportation is now affected.
“I’m looking at the car behind my car, and it was exploding, sparks and it sounded like explosions. Almost like gunshots. It was so loud, and then I look at my car, and it starts catching on fire,” said Tomczak, who added, “Everyone’s worried about their cars burning down, but I’d like to say a car is replaceable. Life isn’t, so thank God, literally thank God, no one is hurt."
As Tomczak and Tesch figure out their next steps, they’re demanding answers from their property manager.
“I definitely hope to see that they would do something,” said Tesch. “It’s sad that everybody lost their cars, but I feel like they should compensate for it.”
Reward money
The Ohio Division of State Fire Marshal promised a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and successful prosecution of the person or persons responsible for the two arson cases. The reward is being offered by the Blue Ribbon Arson Committee.
Anyone with information about the fires is asked to call the state fire marshal's tip line at 800-589-2728 or the Jackson Township Police Department at 330-832-1553.
