Truck set on fire behind Springfield restaurant suspected arson

A truck set on fire behind a business on Bechtle Avenue this weekend is believed to be an arson. Staff photo

A truck set on fire behind a business on Bechtle Avenue this weekend is believed to be an arson. Staff photo

A truck set on fire behind a business on Bechtle Avenue this weekend is believed to be an arson.

Springfield police and firefighters responded to a fire at about 1:55 a.m. Saturday morning behind the Hibachi Grill, 1071 N. Bechtle Ave.

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The full-size truck had rags hanging over the front tires as well as placed in the gas tank hanging from the side of the truck, according to a police report. Rags were also placed inside the brake fluid booster and a chair was placed in the bed of the truck.

The suspect also pulled the grill off of the truck, as well as several other items from under the hood. The tires were also slashed with a knife before it was set on fire, the report said.

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The truck was burned from the back to the middle seating area and sustained damage all over, the police report says.

The truck’s owner told police he had given the truck to a man who lives nearby who was going to fix it.

No suspect information was available, the police report says.

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