By Staff
NILES – Two Dowagiac teens have been arrested on arson charges.
Michigan State Police troopers from the Niles post on June 22 responded to reports of two separate fires in the area of Beeson Street and Dailey Road in Cass County's LaGrange Township.
Law enforcement officers at the scene made contact with several witnesses who observed a car fleeing the scene with multiple occupants.
The car was later found abandoned off the roadway in a swampy area.
Suspects set fire to a residence occupied by two individuals on Beeson Street and another barn structure, also on Beeson.
Alert neighbors noticed the two fires and made contract with the individuals sleeping inside the house that was on fire.
The individuals sleeping inside the house were able to evacuate the dwelling without injury.
Michigan State Police arson investigators and an MSP accelerant alerting canine were called to assist in the investigation.
The dog alerted on accelerants at the structure and also at the vehicle that was impounded from the swamp.
Suspects from Dowagiac were identified by evidence in the vehicle and located the following day.
Arrested were Cory J. Schutter, 17, of Dowagiac, for four felony counts of arson and Joseph F. Broussard, 19, of Dowagiac, also for four felony counts of arson.
State police said the suspects did not know the two victims of the occupied residence prior to starting the fires.
Both suspects admitted to starting the fire for an "adrenaline rush," state police said Wednesday.