Logan County Sheriff Randy Dodds reported Thursday that a suspect in a Sept. 21 arson fire in rural East Liberty was placed under arrest Wednesday morning without incident.
Wesley Helfenstein, 49, has been charged with aggravated arson related to the fire at his recently deceased father Marvin Helfenstein’s 10975 Township Road 157, East Liberty, property.
Logan County deputies, along with deputies from the Hardin County and Union County sheriff’s offices, responded Wednesday morning to the area of the T.R. 157 property to serve the suspect with a warrant. He is currently incarcerated in the Logan County Jail.
The morning of Sept. 21, deputies of the Logan County Sheriff’s Office on patrol in the area of County Road 153 east of Middleburg about 4:05 a.m. observed a column of smoke and an illumination in the air consistent with a large fire, as previously reported in the Examiner.
Upon arrival at the T.R. 157 property, deputies observed the ranch-style home partially engulfed with flames visible through the windows and roof.
Firefighters of the Allen Township Fire Department arrived shortly thereafter, along with mutual aid from Perry Township, North Lewisburg and Liberty Township.
Deputies searched the residence prior to firefighters’ arrival, and did not locate anyone inside the home. In addition, deputies searched outbuildings on the property and also did not locate any individuals on the premises. No injuries were reported.
The home valued at $155,000 was destroyed in the blaze, and the Ohio Fire Marshal’s Office and deputies reported the probable cause as an arson. It appeared that the fire had started in a bedroom.
During the course of the investigation, deputies found that Wesley had been residing with his father prior to Marvin’s Sept. 12 death.
Following the structure fire, the sheriff said the suspect, who is also an outdoorsman, had been staying outdoors on the wooded property. Sept. 24, deputies conducted a search of the area for the suspect, but he was not apprehended at that time.
Wednesday, authorities gathered early in the morning at the sheriff’s office, and by 8 a.m., had placed Wesley under arrest, the sheriff said. The defendant also had a loaded rifle with him at that time, but he did not use it against law enforcement.
“Thankfully, all ended safely for our deputies and the suspect,” Sheriff Dodds said.