116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Man charged with arson for throwing Molotov cocktails at apartment
Steve Gravelle
Mar. 24, 2010 10:00 am
Matthew W. Shepherd, 24, is charged with first-degree arson for throwing two gas-filled bottles at the window of a southwest Cedar Rapids apartment building March 13.
One of the Molotov cocktails crashed through the window of a sleeping man's bedroom, setting fire to some of its contents, including the blankets on the bed, fire department spokesman Andy Olesen said. The man awoke and used other bedding to snuff the flames, preventing the fire's spread.
Arrested March 18, Shepherd remains in the Linn County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bond.
A Class B felony, first-degree arson carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison.
Daily Newsletters