BROOKINGS A Brookings resident is facing arson and intentional damage charges in the wake of alleged incidents at United Living Community between Jan. 4 and Jan. 11.
Peter Luze, 70, was arrested by officers with the Brookings Police Department on Monday, according to a Tuesday news release from the BPD, and taken to the Brookings County Detention Center. Hes facing two felony counts of first-degree arson and a single, misdemeanor, count of intentional damage to property, per information from the Brookings County States Attorneys Office.
Luze is alleged to have ignited dry leaves that had collected against the ULC nursing home at 405 First Ave., BPD Det. Sgt. Rhett Larsen wrote in the release. In addition to that, according to the states attorneys office, Luze is also accused of using super glue on the locks of maintenance closets in an attempt to slow personnel from carrying out their duties.
Luze, who lives at Park Place Apartments on the ULC premises, was released on a $7,500 cash personal recognizance bond on Tuesday afternoon. His initial court date will be 9 a.m. on Feb. 10. Conditions of his bond are he:
- May not possess incendiary and/or explosive devices.
- Must remain at least 300 feet away from ULC property.
- Can have no contact with staff of the property.
- Remains a law-abiding citizen.
- Make all court appearances.
The bond conditions, according to the states attorneys office, were made with several factors in mind. These included the presence of the nursing home and a daycare on site accounting for 200 or so people that would need evacuation if a fire were successfully started.
Larsen said there was no ongoing threat to the community.
He said there was no connection between this case and two other recent cases involving fires: One on Dec. 30 in downtown Brookings that destroyed Brosts Fashions and damaged 18 other businesses, along with apartments; and the other a fatal house fire on Jan. 7 just south of Brookings.
Contact Mondell Keck at [email protected].
Leave a Reply