Local News

Royal Lakes Residents Arrested for Arson in Hillsboro

Tue, 14 May 2019 08:07:49 CDT

A pair of Royal Lakes residents have been arrested on arson charges after a Hillsboro residence caught fire on Saturday, May 4.

Emanuel Welch, 22, and Alphonso Anderson, 52, were recently taken into custody by Macoupin County Sheriff's Officers before being transferred to the Montgomery County Jail. According to Hillsboro Police Chief Randy Leetham, the Hillsboro Fire Department extinguished a blaze at 10:20 p.m. on May 4, at 677 Park Street. Eye witnesses told investigators that the house had been set on fire by some unknown persons.

After witnesses gave authorities the description of the suspects' vehicle, investigators located it in Bunker Hill. After interviewing several people, they learned that four Individuals from the Royal Lakes and Bunker Hill area had purchased gasoline in Gillespie to light the structure on fire.

Welch and Anderson were both charged with Residential Arson, and their bond has been set at $150,000.