Marshfield Man Pleads Not Guilty to Arson and Burglary Charges
Tuesday, June 3rd, 2014 -- 8:26 AM
-A Marshfield man accused of starting a fire in a Marshfield business after getting caught in a burglary has pleaded not guilty.According to the Marshfield Police Department, 19-year-old Michael Straka broke into Avalon on 4th Street early in the morning on April 19th. He was looking for synthetic marijuana. When he couldn?t find any, he stole several pipes, a double bladed ax and attempted to steal a tip jar when he set off the alarm.
When police responded to the scene, Straka was coming out of the building, but quickly retreated back in side when he saw police. In order to try and distract the authorities he started a rack of clothing on fire. Police evacuated the tenants living above the building and Straka tried to escape through a window. Police attempted to capture him, but he went back in once again. Finally, the thick smoke forced him to leave.
Straka has been charged with arson, burglary with a dangerous weapon and refusing to comply with officers. During his court appearance on Friday, Straka waived a preliminary hearing and entered a not guilty plea to the charges filed against him. He will appear in court again later this month and if he?s convicted, he could face a maximum prison sentence of 88 and a half years.
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