23-year-old indicted in Applebee’s arson case
NEW PHILADELPHIA – The Tuscarawas County Grand Jury has indicted a New Philadelphia man for allegedly trying to set fire to Applebee’s earlier this month.
CONNOR KOKINSKI (TCSO)
Connor Kokinski, 23, faces two high-level felony counts of Aggravated Arson. The first-degree felony alleges Kokinski risked serious harm to the restaurant’s patrons and employees. The second-degree felony is related to damaging the building. Kokinski has been in the Tuscarawas County Jail with bond set at $250,000.
Police allege Kokinski started a small fire outside the entrance to Applebee’s overnight on a Thursday between October 1st and 2nd. Fire Chief Jim Parrish says employees smelled smoke at closing time and called 9-1-1, which prevented a more serious situation. Responding firefighters were able to put it out quickly with a fire extinguisher. The restaurant did not have to close as damage was limited to that outside part of the building.