NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A man was arrested Monday after allegedly starting multiple fires inside a Midtown business while attempting to steal copper from wires in the ceiling, according to Metro police.
Brandon Curry, 42, was arrested and charged on Dec. 16 after he was chased down by an employee of the business in a foot pursuit.
Officials said officers responded to a reported burglary at a building in the 1700 block of Church Street just after noon on Monday. The building manager told officers that she saw smoke rising from the building and called two colleagues who were nearby for assistance.
According to court documents, the two employees were waiting at the back door of the building —which had reportedly been pried open— for authorities to arrive when Curry walked out of the building and attempted to leave the scene on a bicycle. Reports said that Curry was covered in a soot-like substance and smelled of smoke.
One of the men commanded Curry to stop, at which point he began to run away, prompting a brief foot chase.
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Curry was stopped by the employee and returned to the building where they waited for officers to arrive.
Responding officers said they observed multiple fires burning inside the building, and soot visibly covered the walls and ceiling. Arson investigators determined that the fires were started from inside the building after wires were set on fire in an attempt to get to the copper beneath the insulation, reports said.
During an interview with police, Curry reportedly admitted that he was burning wiring in the ceiling to get the copper inside so he could sell it. He told officers his friend showed him how to get into the building and said he "only intended to stay for a couple days," arrest documents said.
Curry was charged with arson, burglary and failure to appear. He is detained in Metro jail on an $80,000 bond.
