A northeast Iowa woman accused of setting a fire last year that damaged several businesses in downtown Waukon has been released from custody after posting her $25,000 cash bail.
The Waukon Police Department says that on February 13, 2022, the Waukon Fire and Police departments responded to a structure fire at Tin, Rust, & Harmony located at 9 Allamakee Street in Waukon, owned by 43-year-old Mindy Jones. Due to circumstances surrounding the fire, the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office was requested to investigate, leading to Monday’s arrest of Jones, charging her with first-degree arson, a Class B felony. Because a canine died as a result of the fire, Jones is also charged with animal abuse, an aggravated misdemeanor.
According to court documents, the State Fire Marshal determined two points of origin of the blaze were determined and an open flame to combustible material was the ignition sequence for both fires. The report shows no electrical equipment or outlets were in the direct area to cause either fire and, thus, the fires were intentionally set.
The criminal complaints also allege that Jones was present in the store within minutes of the fires starting and that she had financial motive to destroy the building and the business.
Tuesday, Jones posted her $25,000 cash bond and she was released from jail. A preliminary hearing on the charges against is scheduled for March 27th in Allamakee County District Court.
