DEXTER - Doorbell footage has helped capture a Dexter man, who has been arrested and charged with two suspected arsons.
Bradley Mitchell has been charged with two counts of first degree arson.
According to the probable cause statement, the Dexter Fire Department was called to a structure fire on Truitt Street in Dexter at 5:13 a.m. June 11. The structure was an apartment building with five, one-story apartments.
Capt. Corey Mills with the Dexter Police Department said in a statement that he, along with fire investigators, responded to the scene after the fire was contained.
Mills said the investigation concluded the fire started in apartment 8 and spread throughout the building, causing severe damage. Mills said burn patterns on the living room floor were consistent with an ignitable liquid being used to start the fire. He said four of the apartments were occupied at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported.
According to the statement, it was learned apartment 8 was not occupied due to the electricity being recently turned off. Mills said the tenant of apartment 8 indicated he had not been at the apartment due to not having electricity.
Mills said the tenant had allowed a friend, Mitchell, to stay there. The tenant said he recently told Mitchell he had to leave the apartment. Mills said the tenant indicated his female roommate was Mitchell’s ex-girlfriend and Mitchell was aggravated about leaving. Mills said Mitchell became a person of interest but was not located.
On Monday, June 13, at 6:37 a.m., the Dexter Fire Department was called to structure fire at 313 S. Sassafras St. After the fire was contained, Mills and fire investigators responded.
“The fire investigator concluded the fire originated on the east side of the residence just above a wood frame porch,” said Mills. “Bum patterns on the east side of the residence and porch were consistent with an ignitable liquid being used to start the fire.”
Mills said there was damage to the east side of the home and the male and female occupants were home at the time of the fire.
“A witness reported seeing a white male wearing a black shirt and khaki pants, with his hat turned backward, running from the scene at the time of the fire,” said Mills.
Mills said in the statement the male occupant of the residence indicated Mitchell’s ex-girlfriend had been there on Sunday.
“While on the scene, I discovered a doorbell camera at 307 S. Sassafras,” said Mills. “The owner provided a short video of a white male walking north in front of the home at the time of the fire call. This subject was wearing a black shirt, khaki pants with his hat turned backward. After review, it appeared the subject had the appearance of one Bradley A. Mitchell.”
Mills said Mitchell was located at 12:30 p.m. and he was brought in for questioning.
“Mitchell was wearing a black shirt, khaki pants, and a ball cap, and it was clear he was the same subject I had observed in the doorbell camera from 307 S. Sassafras. After waiving his rights, Mitchell agreed to make a statement,” said Mills. “In the interview, Mitchell admitted he had been using methamphetamine for pain management. Mitchell said he was going through a hard time because of some issues with his ex-girlfriend.”
Mills said in the statement that Mitchell said he was aware of the Truitt Street fire but did not know about the the fire on Sassafras Street. Mitchell denied any involvement in the incidents. Mills said later in the interview, when confronted with the evidence of his possible involvement, Mitchell recanted and implicated himself in both fires.
“Mitchell admitted on the morning of June 11, 2022, he walked to the Truitt Apartments to contact his ex-girlfriend, whom he thought was inside apartment number eight,” said Mills. “Mitchell said he looked into the front window and couldn’t see her so he walked to the rear of the apartments. From there, Mitchell admitted he entered the apartment through a window. Mitchell said he fell into the apartments and knocked over a candle that was burning, which then caused a fire to break out.”
Mills said Mitchell admitted he fled the scene on foot without reporting the incident after watching the fire.
Mills said before entering the apartment, Mitchell said he did have thoughts of burning it to the ground.
Mills said Mitchell admitted to walking to the Sassafras residence on the morning of June 13 because he had a strong suspicion that his ex-girlfriend was inside the residence.
“Mitchell said he walked to the rear of the residence and stood by the wood porch and began smoking a cigarette. Mitchell said he threw the cigarette on the grass next to the wood porch,” said Mills. “Mitchell said he then watched as the grass and porch caught on fire before fleeing the scene on foot. Mitchell again admitted he did not report the incident. Mitchell said he was sorry for his actions and had no intentions of hurting anyone.”
Mills said Mitchell admitted when he was a juvenile he intentionally burned a pickup truck and also set a portion of his house on fire.
“Mitchell admitted he has a fire fetish and is very knowledgeable about starting them,” said Mills. “Mitchell also admitted he had recently been experimenting with dry chemical fires at a friend’s residence. Mitchell said he purchased the chemicals online.”
Mitchell is currently being held without bond in the Stoddard County Jail.