Suspect arrested in arson case

ST. IGNATIUS — In the midst of an ongoing serial arson investigation, on Friday the Lake County Sherriff’s Office arrested 19-year-old Chase Kuntz of St. Ignatius, who now faces felony charges tied to a suspicious June 5 blaze that destroyed a cabin on Airport Road.

Kuntz is currently being held at the Lake County Detention Center. Following an arraignment hearing in Lake County Court on Monday, Kuntz’ bail was raised from $20,000 to $25,000.

ST. IGNATIUS — In the midst of an ongoing serial arson investigation, on Friday the Lake County Sherriff’s Office arrested 19-year-old Chase Kuntz of St. Ignatius, who now faces felony charges tied to a suspicious June 5 blaze that destroyed a cabin on Airport Road.

Kuntz is currently being held at the Lake County Detention Center. Following an arraignment hearing in Lake County Court on Monday, Kuntz’ bail was raised from $20,000 to $25,000.

Law enforcement officials are still investigating whether or not Kuntz is connected to the spate of recent suspected arsons that have shaken the community, and the teen now stands as a “person of interest” in the case.

Only three days prior to the Airport Road blaze, the Beckwith Mercantile building- reportedly the second-oldest structure in St. Ignatius- was destroyed by a sudden fire in the middle of the night.

In addition to the Mercantile fire, authorities are also looking into Kuntz’ involvement with a number of other St. Ignatius area incidents over the past several months. Those with any possible information about the fires are urged to contact police.