Man charged in connection with arson investigation in St. Charles County

St. Charles County, Missouri – Investigators in St. Charles County believe a man set fire to the home of two people who let him stay there overnight.

According to the St. Charles County Police probable cause statement, the arson occurred on the night of Thursday, May 23, in an unincorporated part of the county.

Police allege Joseph G. Garza (age not given) started a fire on the front porch of the home around 3:30 a.m. Surveillance video from the victims’ home and a neighbor shows Garza walking to and from the home. The neighbor’s surveillance video also shows the front porch fully engulfed in flames at 3:44 a.m.

When questioned by investigators, Garza denied knowing anything about the fire and said he had no problems with the homeowners. He admitted that they let him live in the house and tried to help him.

Garza allegedly told police the homeowners were not in the house. Police said the victims were sleeping in the house with their two dogs. Garza said he had no intention of hurting the homeowners.

The St. Charles County District Attorney’s Office charged Garza with first-degree arson. Garza remains in custody on $100,000 bail. He is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, May 29, for a seven-day bail hearing.