Teens face arson charges

MOORHEAD, Minn. — A pair of teenagers face felony arson charges, accused of igniting the car of an ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend last week, police say.

Justin Dorrean Buckner, 18, and Lawrence Leroy Wallace, 19, both of Moorhead, were charged with second-degree arson Friday in Clay County District Court.

Court records say police and fire crews were called to 2913 Hanover Ave. in south Moorhead at about 5:15 a.m. on a report of a vehicle fire, finding a broken vodka bottle with some discolored liquid in it on the street near the fire.

The owner of the burned 1992 Dodge Stealth, who was not named in court records, told police the fire could have been set by Buckner, who used to date his girlfriend and seemed to be taking it poorly.

In court records, police claim Buckner said he was upset about the breakup and after drinking with Wallace into the early morning hours Thursday, they put gasoline in two empty bottles and stuffed the tops with socks.

Buckner told officers his friend smashed a window of the new boyfriend’s car and threw his bottle inside the car, while he himself put his lit bottle on top of the vehicle, police allege.

When police questioned Wallace, they claim he gave a story that matched the account Buckner provided.

Wallace’s next court date is set for May 13. Buckner’s next appearance is May 23.

Dave Roepke is a reporter at The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead, which is owned by Forum Communications Co.

Tags: news, crime, arson