MERIDIAN, Idaho — A Meridian man is facing felony arson and stalking charges after investigators say he set a pickup truck on fire in front of an apartment complex early Tuesday morning.
The fire was reported just before 5 a.m. in the 4000 block of North Elsinore Avenue. Firefighters responded and were able to douse the flames, but the pickup and its contents were left scorched.
Meridian Police was called in to assist, and investigators determined the fire had been intentionally set.
Detectives arrested 40-year-old Korbin Carter on Thursday with help from Boise Police. The suspect was taken into custody in the 6100 block of Fairview Avenue in Boise, then transported to the Ada County Jail.
Carter's bond was set Friday afternoon at $100,000.
Prosecutor Alyssa Koval told the judge that Carter had apparently thrown several Molotov cocktails at the vehicle next to the pickup truck, smashing its windshield, but at least one of the incendiary devices bounced into the pickup, setting it on fire.
"The owner of that vehicle told law enforcement that the defendant here had been stalking her, but she wasn't sure this was something he would do," she said. "However, throughout further investigation, an additional witness was able to provide video of the defendnt throwing Molotov cocktails at the vehicle with windshield damage."
The truck was completely engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived, Koval added. The heat from the burning pickup damaged the stalking victim's car, as well as other vehicles parked nearby, she said.
The prosecutor also noted that Carter has 27 prior misdemeanors and five felonies, with convictions including drug possession, assault, eluding, and burglary.
Judge Thomas Watkins set bond at $100,000, and ordered Carter to have no contact with any of the victims. If the defendant is able to get out of jail on bond, the judge ruled, he must be fitted with a GPS monitor and abide by pretrial restrictions.
Third-degree arson is punishable by up to ten years in prison, while felony stalking carries a one- to five-year prison sentence.
Carter is due back in court April 8.
Police investigating Meridian truck fire as arson
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