SIDNEY – A city man has been indicted in connection with a fire at Village West Apartments during the early morning hours of April 25.
It was one of three indictments handed down by the Shelby County grand jury on May 14. They will face arraignment on Thursday, May 21, at 10 a.m. in Shelby County Common Pleas Court.
Matthew D. Knick, 36, was charged with aggravated arson, a first-degree felony. He remains incarcerated at the Shelby County Jail on a $50,000 cash only bond.
Sidney firefighters were dispatched to 500 N. Vandemark Road, Building 7, on the report of a structure fire on Saturday, April, 25, at 3:23 a.m.
According to a Sidney Fire press release, upon arrival, firefighters found a single-story, multi-family residential structure, with smoke showing from the eaves of the structure.
All occupants of the building’s four apartments were out of the structure upon arrival. No injuries were reported from the incident.
Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire in the kitchen of Apartment 36. Upon further investigation, firefighters opened the attic space to find that the fire extended into the attic. Firefighters continued a coordinated search and fire attack.
A box alarm was dispatched to recall all off duty Sidney firefighters as well as Anna and Lockington Fire Departments and Perry Port Salem Rescue Squad. DP&L and Vectren workers were called to the scene to secure the utilities.
Residents of three of the apartments in the building were able to return to their homes.
The loss to the property is estimated at $35,000 and $15,000 in contents.
Renee L. Stanley, 46, Grove City, Ohio, was indicted for perjury and obstructing justice, both third-degree felonies.
According to online court records, Stanley provided false information regarding a murder investigation on Oct. 10, 2019 before the grand jury. Prosecutors claim Stanley gave the false info to hinder the arrest and prosecution of another person.
Che Riegel, 44, at large, was indicted for 12 counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor, all fourth-degree felonies.
Court records indicate he allegedly downloaded computer images involving minors 12 times between Dec. 5-9.
