Additional Charges Pending in Two West Bridge Street Fires

Dublin officers, WTFD and the Northwest Regional Emergency Communications Center (NRECC) worked closely together as the events unfolded that evening, allowing first responders to quickly contain the fires and identify a suspect.

WTFD was initially dispatched to a fire alarm at the Marathon Gas Station, 215 W. Bridge Street, Tuesday night at 5:54 p.m. As crews arrived, they observed an active fire at Ace Hardware, 373 W. Bridge Street, and immediately shifted their response. All employees evacuated safely, and the fire was quickly contained. During follow-up at the Marathon station, WTFD Deputy Fire Marshal Chad Hamilton found evidence of an attempted intentional fire in the restroom. Surveillance images identified an individual entering the restroom shortly before the alarm activated.

Dublin Police detectives and WTFD launched a joint investigation. After patrol officers were provided an image of the person of interest, Dublin Police Officer Adam Drucker located the individual — identified as Carl Ray Lee Foster Jr., 39 — on Riverside Drive. Foster, Jr. matched the surveillance images and was carrying a lighter. He was detained and transported to the Dublin Justice Center, where detectives charged him with aggravated arson related to the Marathon incident.

Additional surveillance video evidence obtained by detectives placed Foster near the ignition point at Ace Hardware. Detectives are currently working with prosecutors and intend to file an additional Aggravated Arson charge connected to that fire.

Foster, Jr. is currently being held in the Franklin County Jail on a $750,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for Dec.12.

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Media Contact:
Robyn Gray
Senior Public Information Officer, City of Dublin
614.562.6765
rgray@dublin.oh.us
Newsroom: https://dublinohiousa.gov/newsroom/