SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — A Salt Lake man has been accused of stealing firefighting clothing and gear and setting fire to a vacuum cleaner and apartment complex garage, according to court documents.
Jacob Konstantin Biada, 32, was booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on a second-degree felony charge of arson, a third-degree felony charge of theft, and misdemeanor burglary.
Crews with the Salt Lake City Fire Department originally responded to reports of a parking garage fire at an apartment complex near 200 East and South Temple on July 8. When crews arrived, they reported finding smoke coming from the garage door.
“Fire crews cut the metal garage door to make entry and upon opening the door, the suspect, Jacob Biada, exited the cut door after being trapped inside,” a booking affidavit states.
According to court documents, a vacuum cleaner was found to have started the fire, causing over $2,500 in damages to the garage.
On Monday, July 22, Biada was allegedly seen wearing wildland fire clothing and matched the description of a suspect involved in a vehicle burglary of fire equipment. Police say the clothing Biada was wearing was confirmed to be the victim’s after investigators found the victim’s name written in black marker on the clothing.
Biada allegedly said he found the clothing in the parking area where the victim reported them stolen. During an interview with police, Biada also allegedly admitted to handling the vacuum that caught on fire earlier in the month.
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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