Dayton House Fire Suspect in Custody

This press release was just issued by the Columbia County Sheriff's office in relation to the suspicious house fire at 615 E. Washington on the morning of Feb. 8.

DAYTON - Columbia County Sheriff's Office arrested Joseph Richter, age 31 of Dayton, and booked him into the Columbia County Jail. In addition to a Columbia County District Court warrant, Mr. Richter faces charges of: 1 st Degree Arson (615 E. Washington), 1st degree, burglary, theft of a motor vehicle, 3rd degree theft, and 1st degree trespass,

In the evening of Tuesday, February 9, 2016, Deputies responded to a report of a burglary in progress in the 200 Block of E. Spring St. in Dayton. Hearing noises the Deputies approached the backyard and encountered Mr. Richter attempting to leave. It was determined that Mr. Richter had entered the residence and removed items,

and attempted to drive off in a vehicle parked at the residence.