DOCUMENTS: Arson suspect messaged friends that he wanted to ‘burn it all’ before fire
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IDAHO FALLS — An arson suspect sent text messages to several people telling them of his intentions to set Brady’s on fire, according to court documents.
Jason G. Schlegel, 41, was arrested for arson late Monday in connection with a fire at the retailer on East Lincoln Road earlier that day. According to several co-workers, Schlegel had been planning the blaze for at least a year.
It didn’t take long for police and fire investigators to consider the Monday fire suspicious. Two vehicles at least 10 yards apart were on fire, and hot tub covers under an awning were also burning.
To top it off, employees who heard about the fire contacted police to report threats made by their former co-worker.
Court documents show one employee told police about a conversation he had with Schlegel. The current employee said that about a year ago, Schlegel told him during a break that he wanted to come into work, shoot everyone and then burn the building down. Schlegel also expressed anger against the business owners.
“If I had my way I would burn it all and be dead by noon.”
A friend of Schlegel came forward, revealing text messages from Schlegel before and after the fire. The following text messages are verbatim and not edited for spelling or grammar.
“I case u were wondering. Ya I hate my life and this (expletive) town,” a message from Schlegel’s phone reads. “If I had my way I would burn it all and be dead by noon.”
Schlegel later goes on to say he planned to burn down the Department of Labor first. The Idaho Falls Department of Labor office is next door to Brady’s.
Around 10 minutes after the fire was reported, Schlegel messaged: “I burned it all!” according to police reports.
Schlegel also messaged another friend about his intention to burn Brady’s. The friend tried several times to calm Schlegel, but was unsuccessful.
“U don’t owe me anything! U have been the best friend I have ever had. I love u. I belong in jail. This will insure it. Just tell everyone I was unstabl,” Schlegel messages.
Schlegel’s friends asked him not to do anything crazy and suggested he gets help at the Behavioral Health Center.
Schlegel replies, “Sorry hon, I’m already in motion. They have insurance, no will be hurt.” Schlegel then appears to threaten the life of a mutual friend.
Schlegel’s friend then asks for him to wait so they can talk, Schlegel replies: “No more talk. Brady’s burns. U should be able to c the smoke. Done deal.”
Schlegel then says he is destroying his phone.
After reviewing surveillance video, police went to Gas N Grub on Lincoln Road, where they discovered Schlegel had bought a gallon of milk, and, according to the clerk, dumped the milk out into a sink, then bought a gallon of gas.
The clerk questioned Schlegel on using the milk gallon to carry gas as it might not be good for his car. According to the clerk, Schlegel said it didn’t matter — he was just going to burn something.
Police later found Schlegel at a friend’s house on the 400 block of Lomax. He was taken into custody without incident.
Schlegel is being held in the Bonneville County Jail on a $30,000 bond and is due back in court March 21 for a preliminary hearing.