Mississippi Charges Vicksburg Man with Arson of 10 Buildings, 2 Vehicles

Mississippi officials have charged a Vicksburg man with arson involving 10 buildings and two vehicles.

A joint investigation between the Mississippi State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Vicksburg Fire Department and the Vicksburg Police Department led to the arson arrest of Leroy Evans. Officials said Evans has been charged with multiple fires, the most recent being at Jackson and Second North Street in Vicksburg which burned five buildings.

“This arrest is just the latest example of how the Mississippi State Fire Marshal’s Office and county and local authorities work together to crack down on arson in the state,” Commissioner of Insurance and State Fire Marshal Mike Chaney said. “Our investigators have one of the highest arrest and conviction rates in the country.”

Between July 1, 2008 and Feb. 9, 2009, Chaney said the fire marshal investigated 223 incendiary fires resulting in 98 arrests. From July 1, 2009 through Feb. 9, 2010, the office has investigated 146 incendiary fires resulting in 59 arrests, not including this arrest.

Source: Mississippi Insurance Department