UPDATE: Arrest in Bank Arson Case

A disgruntled customer has been arrested for allegedly twice trying to set a Salina bank on fire.

According to Salina Police, Thursday night at about 11:00, a subject was driving past First Bank Kansas, 1333 W. Crawford, when they observed the side of the building on fire. As the citizen pulled up to the bank, they observed an SUV leaving the area. The suspect had set plywood, which had been used to cover previous damage, on fire. Damage was valued at about $20.

The citizen stomped out some wood which was on fire. Bank employees advised officers of a possible suspect, 43-year-old MathewPhouthavong of Salina, who was disgruntled with the bank.

Police responded  to Phouthavong’s home in the 1600 block of W. Republic, where they located him and the vehicle matching the suspect vehicle. The vehicle was still warm to the touch.

Phouthavong was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Saline County Jail on two counts of Arson.

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ORIGINAL: A joint investigation with the Salina Police Department and Salina Fire Department is underway after a window was broke and a a small fire set at a bank.

According to Salina Police , at about 8 AM Wednesday officers responded to the First Bank Kansas branch located at 1333 W. Crawford in reference to a damage to property.

When employees arrived they located a window along the west side of the building which had been broken out with an unknown object. The suspect then started a fire in the area of the window, damaging some window trim and carpet just inside the damaged window.

The damage is valued at $4,000.

No entry was gained into the building.

Salina Fire Department Fire Inspectors are assisting with the investigation.