Homeless Man Accused of Starting Dumpster Fire at Rochester Business

Rochester, MN (Rochester-Now)- A homeless man was arrested in connection with a dumpster fire that started at a Rochester business earlier this week. 

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That’s according to a criminal complaint filed in Olmsted County Court on Thursday. 

Rochester police and the Rochester Fire Department responded to the blaze shortly after midnight Wednesday morning. 

Homeless Man Facing Arson Charge for Fire at Rochester Business

33-year-old William Benjamin Davis Joels is charged with a count of second-degree arson. The fire broke out at a business in north Rochester that is not named in the complaint. 

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The court document says a man identified by police as Davis-Joels is seen on security camera footage approaching the dumpster with a lighter shortly after 11:45 Tuesday night. 

He’s seen removing cardboard from the dumpster and heard saying “you already know.” 

Arson Suspect Seen on Camera with Burning Cardboard

Davis-Joels momentarily disappears from the camera frame then re-emerges with a piece of flaming cardboard and is seen placing it in the dumpster before leaving the area, the complaint says. 

The plastic dumpster was fully engulfed in flames when first responders arrived. Some of the fire also spread to wooden boards that were attached to the nearby building, the court document states. 

See Also: Former Firefighter Accused of Starting Oronoco Shed Fire 

A damage estimate was not provided in the complaint. 

Davis-Joels made his first court appearance Thursday morning. His bail was set at $40,000.