Florida Man Charged with Arson and Insurance Fraud

Christopher Koepke, of Jacksonville, Fla., was arrested for setting fire to five vehicles and an apartment building in an attempt to commit insurance fraud, according to Florida chief financial officer and state fire marshal Jeff Atwater.

On Sept. 15, 2011, Jacksonville Fire Rescue responded to a fire at the Columns Apartment Complex on Laurina St. in Jacksonville. The investigation revealed that Koepke intentionally set the fires, hoping to collect insurance money on the damage to the contents of his apartment from the fire. The fires caused more than $200,000 in damage.

Koepke was arrested and booked into the Duval County Jail on five counts of second-degree arson to a vehicle, one count of first-degree arson to a dwelling and one count of insurance fraud. If convicted, Koepke could face up to 135 years in prison.