Police arrest four in twin arson cases

GENTRY - Police have identified and arrested one adult and three juveniles for allegedly setting fire to two unoccupied homes in Gentry.

Police arrested KennethKnotts, 20, of Gentry, on two counts of criminal trespass, a Class B misdemeanor, and two counts of arson, a Class A felony.

Three other male juveniles, ranging in age from 16 to 17, were also arrested on the same charges.

Police and fire officials responded to the first fire at an abandoned home, located at 304 N. Otis, at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Oct. 26 and found the home fully engulfed, according to a police department press release. The home was totally destroyed, the release stated.

The fire also caused damage to an unoccupied home next-door to the first home, according to the release.

Both police and fire officials determined the fire was suspicious, the press release stated.

On Oct. 29, at approximately 8:30 p.m., police and fire officials were called to a fire in the unoccupied house which had been damaged by the first fire, the press release stated. The fire department found the second home on fire but was able to quickly extinguish the flames, according to the release. The house suffered minor damage to the interior, and no other structures were damaged in the second fire.

Fire and police officials determined the second fire had been intentionally set, usingspray paint and oil, the release states.

During their investigation of the two fires, police identified and later arrested the four for allegedly entering the homes and setting the blazes.

Knotts is being held in the Benton County Jail, with bond set at $15,000. The 17-year-old juvenile is being held in the county’s juvenile detention center. The two other youths were cited and released to the custody of their parents, according to the release.