$250,000 bond for Toledo man accused of aggravated arson at ex-girlfriend‘s home

6/13/2014

A Toledo man accused of throwing a flaming bottle of gasoline at his ex-girlfriend‘s home was arraigned today and ordered to remain in the Lucas County jail in lieu of bond.

James Geyer, 26, of 2724 Eldora Dr., is charged with aggravated arson and disorderly conduct while intoxicated. His bond was set in Toledo Municipal Court at $250,000.

Mr. Geyer is accused of going to his ex-girlfriend‘s residence at 60 Moss Creek St. in Washington Township on Saturday and, at 12:09 a.m., threw a flaming plastic bottle filled with gasoline at the trailer while seven people -- including his ex and his two children -- were inside, said Washington Township police Chief Christopher Kaiser. The bottle fell about one foot from the trailer‘s gas meter, burning grass and a decorative garden border before it was kicked away by a witness, the chief said.

“That thing would have went up,” the chief said. “It would have been tragic.”

The chief said Mr. Geyer was a passenger in a vehicle that drove by the trailer twice before the bottle was thrown. The driver has not been charged and is cooperating with police. The vehicle and suspect were found parked a couple blocks from the trailer and questioned by police. Police reported there were bottles and cups of gasoline inside the vehicle. The suspect said the gas was for his lawnmower. No arrests were made then until Thursday when warrants were filed and the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force arrested the suspect.

Investigators said the suspect was mad at his former girlfriend because she had a baby with a new boyfriend.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 20.