Police arrested two 19-year olds on Saturday, June 4th for the May 23rd fire that destroyed the Valley Supply hardware store in Rising Sun.
Rising Sun Volunteer Fire Department Chief Kevin Armstrong announced late Wednesday, June 1st that it was arson.
Devon Radcliff and Curtis Taulbee, both 19, are in Switzerland County Detention Center and were to appear in Ohio County Circuit Court on Tuesday on charges of Arson (Lesson 5 Felony), Burglary (Level 5 Felony), and misdemeanor theft.
Radcliff had been an employee at Valley Supply. Further information was unavailable at deadline.
The fire occurred at around 1 a.m. The fire department was assisted by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, the State Fire Marshal, and Indiana State Police in the investigation. The Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Arson Hotline advertised a reward up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person or people responsible.
Valley Supply was opened in 1961 by Ross Copeland. Gary and Judy Copeland recently marked their 50th year as owners and reported they were planning to sell the business prior to the fire.