Suspect in Pinball Pete's arson ordered to stand trial
Angela Cesere | AnnArbor.com
The second suspect in an arson that destroyed the old Pinball Pete's near the University of Michigan Central Campus waived his right to a preliminary hearing today and was ordered to stand trial.
Justin Arens, 21, and Ian MacKenzie, 18, are charged with arson of personal property, preparation to burn and arson of real property.
Arens appeared for a hearing in 14A District Court today to determine whether enough evidence exists to order him to stand trial. But Arens waived his right to that hearing and was bound over to Washtenaw County Circuit Court for a pre-trial hearing Jan. 11, Ann Arbor Detective Dave Monroe said.
MacKenzie waived his right to a preliminary hearing earlier this month and has a pre-trial hearing next week.
The Oct. 24 blaze gutted the South University Avenue building. Investigators found traces of an accelerant, and Monroe said gasoline was believed to be used.
No one was injured, but the fire forced the evacuations of nearby buildings, including the high-rise University Towers.
The building hadn't been occupied since 2001 and had become a haven for young loiterers and possibly squatters.
Monroe said tips from the public helped identify the men, who were homeless, as suspects. Police have not released a motive for the fire.
Arens is being held at Washtenaw County jail on $100,000 cash bond, jail officials said. MacKenzie is being held on $50,000 cash bond.
Work has started to demolish the former Pinball Pete’s building at 1217 S. University Avenue in Ann Arbor. It's expected to wrap up by Jan. 8, and traffic is being detoured around the area.
Comments
blahblahblah
Mon, Feb 15, 2010 : 8:48 p.m.
The saying goes, If you can't do the time, Don't do the crime. However I used to work there waaaaay back in the day, and it had a three level basement of which they covered up somehow someway..
heinz57
Fri, Jan 1, 2010 : 3:47 p.m.
i hope they get some help. and if u cant do the crime dont do the act (or how ever that saying goes lol
tdw
Fri, Jan 1, 2010 : 1:21 p.m.
Beal inc is doing the work? for crying out loud lets see how long Ann Arbor will put up with it like Ypsi(depot town)
Sarcastic1
Thu, Dec 31, 2009 : 1:49 p.m.
Good job Det. Monroe
Bear
Thu, Dec 31, 2009 : 5 a.m.
That is the last house left on that particular block of South U.