An Illinois man has been accused of setting fire to a toilet paper dispenser in the men’s restroom at the Walgreens pharmacy, 3937 Vogel Road, in Arnold, court records show.
The Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office on March 2 charged Nicholas James Melvin, 22, of Cottage Hill, Ill., with first-degree arson, a class B felony punishable by five to 15 years in prison, according to court documents.
As of Tuesday afternoon, March 4, Melvin was being held without bond at the Jefferson County Jail in Hillsboro, court records said.
Court documents did not list an attorney for Melvin. Jefferson County assistant prosecuting attorney Danielle Mertens is prosecuting the case.
According to the case’s probable-cause statement, Melvin arrived at the pharmacy at about 11:15 p.m. Feb. 26 and asked an employee where the restrooms were located. He was in the restroom until about 11:20 p.m.
No one else entered the restroom after Melvin left the pharmacy, and at about 1 a.m. Feb. 27, an employee saw heavy smoke and water coming out of the men’s restroom, the report said.
Arnold Police were called at about 1:10 a.m. to the pharmacy. Officers saw the melted dispenser on the wall of one of the bathroom stalls, according to the report.
The restroom walls and ceiling were damaged by smoke and water. An estimated cost to repair the damage was not available, Arnold Police reported.
Investigators used surveillance video, social media and Flock license-plate reading cameras to identify Melvin, the case’s probable-cause statement said.
St. Louis Police on March 1 arrested Melvin. He was transported to the Arnold Police Station, where he was held until the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed charges, and he was then transported to the Jefferson County Jail, police reported.