Two Fosston, Minn., men were charged Monday with first-degree arson in connection with a string of blazes that burned buildings in Mahnomen, Polk and Clearwater counties in northwestern Minnesota.
Levi Coyer, 19, and Nick Schouviller, 19, have both told investigators with the Polk County Sheriff's Office they were involved in the Aug. 3 arson spree that damaged and, in some cases, destroyed vacant houses, historic town halls and an outbuilding.
Incident
Deputies interviewed Trandem Kappedal, who said he was partying and drinking with the accused pair on Coyer's property the night of Aug. 2 the morning of Aug. 3. The three men left in Schouviller's vehicle about 2 a.m. and drove to a cabin in Mahnomen County, Kappedal told investigators.
Schouviller and Coyer broke into the vacant cabin and came out five minutes later, saying they had started a fire and wanted to set another one, Kappedal reported.
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The three then drove to an unoccupied house that was for sale in Columbia Township, Polk County. Schouviller and Coyer entered the residence and lit a fire. That structure burned to the ground and fell into the basement, court documents state.
Kappedal told investigators he then fell asleep in the back of the vehicle. While he was sleeping, Schouviller and Coyer started three more fires -- an outbuilding at B&M Supply near Clearbrook, Minn., Leon (Minn.) Town Hall and then Eddy (Minn.) Town Hall, according to court documents.
The Eddy Town Hall burned to the ground and the other two structures sustained substantial damage. No one was injured in any of the five fires.
Schouviller told authorities he was under the influence of psychedelic mushrooms and alcohol that night. He told investigators Coyer started all the fires. Coyer reported the same about Schouviller.
It wasn't clear whether Kappedal would be charged in connection with the incident. Deputy Mike Norland, who filed the complaint against Schouviller and Coyer, declined to give further information about the case.
Schouviller and Coyer, who were arrested Friday in Fosston, were also charged with conspiracy to commit arson and burglary in the second degree for entering the Polk County residence.
As of Monday night, Schouviller and Coyer were being held at Northwest Regional Corrections Center in Crookston, according to a jail spokesman.
A Polk County District Court judge set bail at $150,000 for each.
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Ingersoll reports on crime and courts. Reach him at (701) 780-1269; (800) 477-6572, ext. 269; or send e-mail to aingersoll@gfherald.com .
