Iowa City man facing arson charge after fire outside homeless shelter

IOWA CITY — An Iowa City man is facing a charge of arson after police say he set fire to a pile of abandoned items next to a homeless shelter.

Michael Dacunos, 46, was arrested Sunday and had his initial appearance Monday. He is being held in the Johnson County Jail on a $25,000 bond.

According to a criminal complaint, Dacunos was seen on camera walking up to the pile and then walking away. Shortly afterward, smoke and flames could be seen coming from the pile, which was next to a large homeless shelter at 429 Southgate Ave.

The fire caused burn and smoke damage to the building’s exterior, the complaint states.

Dacunos reportedly admitted to walking up to the pile, but denied that he set the fire.

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