A Jennings man was arrested on Wednesday following an investigation into a burglary and three fires at locations in the city.
Jennings Police Dept.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office says that 28-year-old Dawunte Morris was arrested and booked into the Jefferson Davis Parish Jail Wednesday on three counts of simple arson. Morris is facing a charge of simple burglary after Jennings Police connected him to a reported break-in and theft at a Sonic on LA 26.
Police say they were dispatched to the Sonic on Wednesday after a burglary alarm was activated. Upon arrival officers observed an unlocked door as well as steady running water.
Officers made contact with Morris who was walking down a nearby road. Review of restaurant surveillance identified Morris as the suspect.
Police say that during the morning the Jennings Fire Department responded to three suspicious fires. The first occurred at the Jennings Oil and Gas Park on Rue De L’Acadia Drive. The fire was determined by the State Fire Marshal’s Office to have been intentionally set to a paper towel dispenser inside the men’s restroom. The fire caused minor damage.
During that investigation, fire officials were alerted to the two other suspicious fires. Both of the fires occurred at the Airport Mobile Home Park on Airport Road. A dumpster and a nearby grassy area were both intentionally set on fire, according to investigators.
Morris is reportedly a resident at the mobile home park.
Following Morris’ arrest by the Jennings Police Department in connection with the burglary, he was questioned by Fire Marshal’s deputies regarding the fires. Deputies say that Morris allegedly admitted to setting the three fires and burglarizing the Sonic “out of boredom.”
Morris was booked on charges of simple burglary, theft, and three counts of arson
