Manistee woman arrested for stalking, arson

FREE SOIL TWP. – A 43-year-old Manistee County woman was arrested today for aggravated stalking and for arson of personal property. Troopers from the Michigan State Police Hart Post were contacted by the victim on November 1, who stated some of his property had been burned.

Troopers investigated the crime and learned that the ex-girlfriend of the victim, currently on probation for stalking, had been in the area. Further investigation led to the discovery that the woman was involved in the burning of the personal property of the victim. The item burned by the suspect was a large holiday yard decoration valued at less than $1,000.

The woman was arrested and is being lodged in the Mason County jail pending formal charges by the Mason County Prosecutor’s Office.

Aggravated stalking is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. Arson of personal property, valued at less than $1,000 is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in the county jail. The suspect’s name is being withheld pending formal arraignment in the 79^th District Court of Mason County.