Local man arrested after allegedly starting fire near fire department

Matthew Stan Perryman - Submitted photo
Matthew Stan Perryman - Submitted photo

A local man was arrested Tuesday evening after allegedly starting a fire by the Hot Springs Fire Department's Central Station on Broadway Street and then walking away.

Matthew Stan Perryman, 41, was taken into custody shortly before 7 p.m. and charged with a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct, punishable by up to 30 days in jail.

He was later released on a $500 bond and is set to appear June 16 in Garland County District Court.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Hot Springs police responded to the 300 block of Broadway regarding a man setting bushes on fire by the fire station and then walking toward Grand Avenue.

The fire was quickly extinguished and a witness at the fire department provided a description of the man. Officers found a man, later identified as Perryman, who matched the description in the 400 block of East Grand Avenue.

Officers ordered Perryman to sit down on the ground several times, but he repeatedly refused and continued to stand. He was detained and again ordered to sit down, but still refused, the affidavit states.

Officers began walking him toward a police unit and he finally sat down. When asked about the fire earlier, Perryman allegedly stated, "Yes, I started the fire," so he was arrested on the disorderly conduct charge.

Local on 04/30/2020

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