Cat found in oven in arson case
Norman, OK (US)

Incident Date: Tuesday, Nov 16, 2010
County: Cleveland

Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged:
» Michael John Ketcham
» Brandon Ke Reed

Two men have been jailed and charged for allegedly setting fire to a vacant building on the Griffin Memorial Hospital campus last week.

A Cleveland County Sheriff's Department employee said Michael John Ketcham, 20, and Brandon Ke Reed, 18, were being held at the Cleveland County Detention Center on Monday on a list of charges. Their bonds were set at $30,000, each.

Court records show Ketcham and Reed have been charged with two counts of second-degree burglary, second-degree arson, third-degree arson, fourth-degree arson, endangering human life during arson and cruelty to animals.

Charges accuse Ketcham and Reed of breaking and entering the former hospital chapel and another building owned by East Main Place. Both men allegedly set fires in both buildings.

Norman firefighters responded to separate fires Nov. 16 in a vacant building that was previously the Griffin Memorial Hospital chapel.

Fire officials said the first blaze was reported about 6:30 a.m. The fire occurred on the south side of the building on the second floor.

Around 11 a.m., firefighters were called to a second blaze. Officials said the fire was on the north side of the building, again on the second floor.

Firefighters said both fires caused about $10,000 in damage. The building was built in 1936.

Cleveland County Sheriff's Department Detective Kevin Brandon said in a court affidavit that he received information that Ketcham and Reed had tried to sell items associated with the burglary at East Main Place. Brandon also learned that Ketcham and Reed had been covertly living in an abandoned and condemned building at East Main Place.

Brandon found Ketcham and Reed on Nov. 18, according to the affidavit. They agreed to speak with Brandon at the sheriff's department.

Ketcham and Reed were interviewed separately, according to the affidavit.

Cleveland County Undersheriff Rhett Burnett said both men confessed to the crimes.

During the interviews, the pair admitted to breaking into East Main Place and stealing two laptop computers, two digital cameras and a trench coat, according to the affidavit.

"Ketcham and Reed also admitted to pouring charcoal lighter fluid into the oven at East Main Place and turning the oven on in an attempt to set the oven on fire," the affidavit stated. "Ketcham and Reed also admitted to placing the office cat into the oven when they turned it on in an attempt to burn the cat."

According to the charges, the cat escaped by knocking the door open.

Burnett said the cat was found at East Main Place with burned paws. The cat is expected to be fine.

"Ketcham and Reed stated that they lit brooms on fire to use as torches and that the fire spread after a lit broom had been placed in a cardboard box," the affidavit stated.

Court records do not indicate when Ketcham and Reed will make a court appearance.

Burnett said the Norman Fire Department and State Fire Marshal's Office investigated the fires.

References

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