ROYAL OAK, Mich. (WXYZ) — A man is facing charges on several arson fires in Royal Oak that date back to 2015.
Thomas Manes, 33, was arrested on June 4 at his apartment in Troy, in relation to the fires.
Since 2015, the City of Royal Oak has experienced a series of arson fires in the north-eastern section of the city. There were three suspicious car fires reported in November of 2015 and two other car fires reported in December of 2015.
Along with the car fires, InStyle Cabinets, located at 4300 Rochester Road, was also reportedly severely damaged by fire flames. Investigators discovered it was related to an early morning break-in, where a firearm and electronics were stolen.
Fast forwarding to summer 2018, three other car fires were reported. Investigators discovered the fires were similar to the ones back in 2015. A person of interest was identified early in the investigation, but because there was not enough evidence, they let them go.
Since November of 2015, a total of 13 fires have been reported and investigators have suspected that these were set intentionally.
On June 2 at 4:46 a.m., Royal Oaks officers and firefighters responded to a fire of a shed and a garage behind a home of the 700 block of Whitcomb. Two days later, Manes was located and arrested by the Royal Oak Police Criminal Investigation Division and Special Investigation Unit.
“We are extremely pleased to finally bring this crime spree to an end." said Chief Corrigan O'Donohue, in a release. "The midnight shift officers and investigators put countless hours into finding the person responsible. The police department utilized cutting edge technology to investigate this case, but in the end, it was solved with good old fashion police work. I can’t speak highly enough of the efforts of our officers and detectives.”
Manes was arraigned on June 7 with multiple charges related to the suspicious fires dating back to 2015.
Manes is charged with:
- Two (2) counts of 2nd Degree Arson (Dwelling), a felony which carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison
- Six (6) counts of 3rd Degree Arson (Personal Property over $20,000), a felony which carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison
- Three (3) counts of 4th Degree Arson (Personal Property $1,000 to $20,000), a felony which carries a penalty of up to 5 years in prison
- Breaking & Entering a Building with Intent, a felony which carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison
- Larceny of a Firearm, a felony which carries a penalty of up to 5 years in prison
- Felony Firearm, which carries a penalty of 2 years in prison
His bond was set at $250,000.
