Prosecutor asks for arson charge in Rosehaven break-in, fire cas - ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MI

(12/13/12) - A Flushing man, already charged with first degree home invasion and larceny of a building, may also face an arson charge in connection with a fire at Flint's Rosehaven Manor in August.

Matthew Jones, a former security guard there, was briefly back in court Thursday morning. His next hearing is scheduled for next week.

In court Thursday, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Karen Hanson asked for the arson charge to be added.

68th District Court Judge Herman Marable Jr. says he will consider it, but wants to first read transcripts from when investigators first sought the charge. 68th District Court Tracy Collier-Nix did not OK that charge then.

Fire investigators allege Jones stole items from at least three apartments, then started a fire to cover it up.

Investigators say they have surveillance video, from the complex, showing Jones in the stairwell wearing gloves right before the fire was reported.  

About a dozens senior citizens were forced to evacuate.

That fire, on Aug. 25, was the second to sweep through Rosehaven Manor in just four months.

The first fire was in April. More than 100 seniors had to evacuate and 36 homes were destroyed. Investigators then said it was likely set by a discarded cigarette or by burned pots on a balcony.

The damage was estimated to be around $3 million.

Jones has a Mt. Morris Township case pending in circuit court as well.  He's charged with armed robbery and unlawful imprisonment.