Man Is Arrested For Arson After Fire At Ark City Business This Evening

A 35-year-old man was taken into custody this evening in connection with an intentionally-set fire that destroyed a building on S. Ninth in Ark City.

Jeffrey “J.D.” Strange is being held without bond on charges of domestic battery, arson, disorderly conduct and theft of a firearm. He has been booked into the Cowley County Jail.

At approximately 5:30 p.m., deputies with the Cowley County Sheriff’s Dept. were dispatched to the 900 block of S. 9th Street for the report of a domestic battery.

Initial reports indicated the suspect, later identified as Strange, had weapons and had made comments that the incident would end in a stand-off between he and law enforcement. Negotiations were being conducted when Strange went into a commercial welding business at 915 S. 9th.

While inside a fire was started.

Strange came outside the front of the business, according to a written statement from Sheriff David Falletti, and was sitting on a four-wheeler when he was taken into custody by sheriff’s deputies and Ark City Police Dept..

In the process Mr. Strange brandished a large knife and was Tasered.

No one was injured during the incident.

Strange was found to be in possession of a loaded firearm upon arrest. The Arkansas City and Winfield Fire Departments were able to put the fire out and it is believed that the building is a total loss.