DETROIT (WWJ) -- The Wayne County Prosecutor is warning of a "dangerous trend" as a second man has been charged with intentionally setting a fire at a Detroit gas station this week.
Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced that 35-year-old Julian Waddell Miller of Detroit was arraigned on attempted murder and other charges in 36th District Court Friday morning in connection with an arson on the city's west side on Tuesday.
Just before 3 a.m. on June 20, investigators said Miller walked into a Sunoco station in the 19330 block of West Seven Mile Rd., between Evergreen and Lahser, poured gasoline on the floor and lit it on fire.
The suspect later identified as Miller fled the area, as firefighters responded and extinguished the blaze, but was tracked by Detroit Police and arrested later the same day.
Officials said a 27-year-old Dearborn man working as a clerk at the gas station was injured in the fire. He was taken by EMS to a hospital for treatment, but is expected to be OK.
Miller is charged with the following: Assault with Intent to Murder, First Degree Arson, Placing Explosive Near Property Causing Physical Injury, Placing Explosive Near Property Causing Property Damage, Assault with Intent to do Great Bodily Harm, Arson – Preparation to Burn Real Property Resulting in Injury, Arson – Preparation to Burn Property – $20,000 or More, Malicious Destruction of a Building – $20,000 or More, and Felonious Assault.
Authorities have not said why he did it.
These charges come after, in a separate case, a 57-year-old Detroit man was arraigned Thursday on arson charges for allegedly setting a fire at a Downtown Detroit gas station earlier this week.
“This seems to be developing into another dangerous trend at Detroit area gas stations. It is a massive understatement to say that arson at a gas station is not a good idea," said Worthy, in a statement. “We will vigorously prosecute anyone that is found responsible for this absurd behavior and will also explore necessary legislative changes to the law regarding arsons specifically at gas stations.”
Miller's bond was set at $100,000 cash/surety with a GPS tether if he is released. A bond re-determination hearing is scheduled for June 26, followed by a probable cause conference is scheduled for June 30.
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