MITCHELL – A probable cause affidavit has been filed against Justin S. Bowden, a Mitchell resident, following an investigation into a fire that occurred on December 19, 2024, at 701 Main Street in Mitchell, Lawrence County, Indiana. Bowden, 36, has been charged with arson and criminal trespassing in connection with the fire, which authorities believe was intentionally set.
According to Investigator Joshua Watterson of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, the Mitchell Fire Department responded to a structure fire at the specified location at approximately 11:30 p.m. on December 19th. Chief Wayne Coble of the fire department observed flames engulfing the entire structure and immediately initiated a defensive fire attack from the exterior of the building. Upon the department’s request, the State Emergency Operations Center was contacted to investigate the fire’s origin and cause.
The investigation into the fire intensified when Chief Troy Lobosky of the Mitchell Police Department provided security footage that showed two individuals walking toward the structure. In the video, one individual continued past the building while the other, later identified as Justin Bowden, stopped to light something in his hand. Bowden then leaned into the open side of the building, igniting combustible items inside the structure before walking away from the scene.
Upon further investigation, Chief Coble conducted a scene examination with written consent, and investigators found no ignition sources in the area that could have sparked the fire naturally. Based on this evidence and the investigation process, the fire was determined to be intentionally set, likely using an open flame device. The structure was completely consumed by the fire, leaving little trace of the cause other than the evidence gathered at the scene.
On December 20, 2024, Investigator Watterson conducted an area canvas and spoke to Tery Clark, the owner of a nearby business, The Break Room, a pool hall across the street from the fire. Clark recalled observing two adult males leaving his business around 11:30 p.m. on December 19th. One of the individuals was described as wearing a black puffy jacket, sweatpants, and Jordan shoes, while the other was dressed in jeans, a Carhartt-style coat, and a balaclava. Clark identified the latter individual as Justin Bowden.
According to Clark, the two men had been at the Railroad bar before visiting The Break Room. The bar’s manager confirmed Bowden’s presence at the bar with another man, who was later identified as Justin Caudill, a known associate of Bowden. The manager noted that the two men left the bar around 10:40 p.m.
Further investigation revealed security footage from a nearby business, It’s About Time Antiques and More, showing two individuals dressed in clothing matching the descriptions provided by the witnesses, including Clark and the bar manager. The footage, taken just before the fire broke out, shows the two men walking past the front of the business around 11:30 p.m., confirming their proximity to the fire when it was set.
As a result of these findings, Bowden is facing charges of arson, a Level 4 felony, and criminal trespassing, a Level 6 felony, in connection with the December 19th fire. Further investigation is ongoing as authorities continue to gather evidence.
Charges are being processed through the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and local law enforcement.
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent unless convicted through due legal proceedings. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
