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Arson suspected in garage fire

A $5,000 reward has been offered for information regarding a garage fire on the Chain O’ Lakes.

Shortly after 11 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, Patrick Ross called 911 to report that his garage at E1281 Round Lake Drive in Farmington was on fire.

When firefighters arrived, they found the garage fully engulfed in flames and the contents, including a Corvette, a total loss.

The following day, Waupaca Fire Chief Jeff Olson, Detective Sgt. Rob Karski and Deputy Dave Huberty met with Ross to investigate the fire. State Fire Marshall Kevin Heimerl was called in and determined from evidence at the scene that the fire had been deliberately set.

While investigating the fire, the county received reports of two burglaries in the area.

Someone broke into a garage on the N2800 block of Rainbow Drive, ransacked the vehicles and stole a bicycle and pruning shears.

A garage on the N2700 block of Smith Lane was also entered, change was taken from two vehicles and several bottles of beer were stolen.

Evidence collected from the garages has been sent to the Wisconsin Crime Lab for fingerprint and DNA analysis.

Karski said that investigators do not know if the burglaries and the arson are related.

Allstate Insurance is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for the garage fire, Karski said.

Anyone with information regarding the garage fire should call the Wisconsin Arson Tip Line at 800-362-3005.

Anyone with information on the burglaries can contact Waupaca County Crime Stoppers at 888-258-9955 or by the new texting website at www.tipsubmit.com and be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

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