A man who was arrested by the Cortez Police Department on suspicion of arson and theft will appear in 22nd Judicial District Court on Tuesday for hearings about his bond and charges.
Michael McLaws was arrested Sept. 29 and again on Sept. 30 after each crime occurred. The first was charged as second-degree arson by officer Taylor Marston, and the second, about shoplifting.
Marston arrived in the area of 215 S. Sligo St. about 6:30 a.m. in response to calls about a brush fire. When he arrived, two trash bins and a fence southwest of Hibbett Sports were burning.
While Marston searched for a suspect and the Cortez Fire Protection District put out the fire, a second fire appeared about 200 yards to the west.
While driving west in the field, Marston saw a man, later identified as McLaws, running east from the fire and toward Big R. He then tried to hide in the sagebrush.
Marston, who said he recognized McLaws from previous contacts, noted soot on his hands when he handcuffed him.
Damage to the two trash bins was an estimated $3,000 each, according to the city of Cortez. Damage to the fence was an estimated $500.
The second fire consisted of two mattresses and a few nearby bushes.
The fields where the fires were set is owned by Gilbert Schwartz Trust, the police report said.
McLaws was arrested on suspicion of second-degree arson.
The next day, Marston responded to Safeway about 7 p.m. for a report of a stolen phone charger valued at $21.99 and a pack of Bluetooth earbuds valued at $8.99. McLaws was identified as the suspect.
Marston joined officer Brady Veach near 105 N. Sligo St., where Veach had come into contact with McLaws. Veach retrieved the stolen items for return to Safeway.
McLaws, who had been given a no-trespass order at Safeway on June 29, was charged with second-degree burglary.
McLaws’ hearings will take place on Tuesday at 2 p.m.
According to to police, McLaws played a part in the fire at the apartments at 214 W. Coronado Ave., on June 27, 2023. Investigators found that the fire started in Apartment 6, where McLaws was staying.
McLaws was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation. A passerby said the bedroom in Apartment 6 was on fire when he opened the door, but McLaws told police the fire started in the kitchen as he made steak and eggs.
