Meth, arson arrest made in restaurant fire investigation

Jasper police arrested Braxton J. Cannon, 24, of Perry Street, Vincennes, for allegedly setting a fire at the Rally’s restaurant in Jasper.

According to authorities, the Jasper Police Department and Jasper Fire Department responded to the report of a fire inside the restaurant at 11:29 a.m. Thursday. When they arrived, officers and firefighters noted the strong odor of gasoline in the building.

The investigation revealed that Cannon had intentionally started the fire with gasoline and a lighter in the employee bathroom.

While Cannon was being searched after he was taken into custody, he began to resist the arresting officers. During the scuffle, officers located a white powdery substance in a baggie on Cannon’s person. The substance later field tested positive for methamphetamine.

Cannon also had $80 cash in his pockets and admitted to officers that he had taken the money from the store register as he was exiting the building after setting the fire.

Cannon was charged with Level 4 felony arson, Level 6 felony possession of methamphetamine, and class A misdemeanor theft and resisting law enforcement.

Dubois County Sheriff’s Department and State Fire Marshal’s office assisted in the investigation.

Original story.

The Rally’s restaurant located on U.S. 231 in Jasper is closed after a fire was discovered in the bathroom there at about 11:29 a.m. Thursday.

According to Jasper Fire Chief Kenny Hochgesang, responding firefighters discovered that paper products stored in a cabinet in the employee bathroom were on fire when they arrived. They were able to extinguish the fire within about ten minutes of being notified of the emergency.

The bathroom is not accessible by the public.

Hochgesang estimated damages to the bathroom at about $1,500.

Due to the circumstances of the fire, the Jasper Police Department and Dubois County Sheriff’s Department are assisting in the investigation.

Four trucks and 32 firefighters responded to the scene. No injuries were reported.

The Dubois County Health Department also responded.