An Austin, Texas business owner has been charged with at least two felonies for allegedly setting a building on fire last week.
Dorsey Brian Hardeman, 75, is charged with felony-level robbery and arson, according to FOX 7 Austin.
Authorities told FOX 7 that a male suspect was seen on surveillance video entering an abandoned building on February 25th. When the male suspect entered the property, which once housed a bicycle shop, he was carrying a container of gasoline.
Police said the suspect poured gasoline inside the store and lit a match. He then left the store and left in a Mercedes-Benz.
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Dorsey Brian Hardeman, 75, was recently charged with felony-level robbery and arson, FOX 7 reports. (Austin Police Department)
When firefighters arrived, they discovered the building’s sprinklers were controlling the fire. It was also discovered that the door to the building had been unlocked with a drill.
FOX 7 reports that Hardeman owns the land next to the abandoned building and once asked to buy it from the current owner, but his offer was rejected.
Officers reportedly recognized Hardeman from another arson incident on Feb. 20, but he has not been charged in that case.
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The arson took place in a building that formerly housed a bicycle shop. (FOX 7 Austin)
According to FOX 7, Hardeman is a “prominent” businessman and owner of an automotive group that owns multiple car dealerships in the Lone Star State, including a Mercedes-Benz dealership.
Austin police say the suspect was seen entering the bike shop site before setting the building on fire. (FOX 7 Austin)
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Austin Police Department for more information.
