Toledo man avoids jail for plant fire

7/14/2018

BOWLING GREEN — A Toledo man accused of setting ablaze the Perrysburg plant where he worked was placed on community control for three years Friday by Wood County Common Pleas Judge Matthew Reger.

Patrick Thomas, 54, also was ordered to pay $2,500 in restitution to RRP Packaging and a $1,000 fine.

Thomas, who maintained he had nothing to do with the fire, pleaded guilty May 8 to vandalism, a fifth-degree felony, for his role in the Jan. 20, 2017, fire that caused about $250,000 damage. Under a plea agreement, the judge dismissed a more serious charge of aggravated arson.