Charges: Man Started Fire In Brother's House, Broke Into Another
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A 38-year-old Coon Rapids man faces arson and burglary charges after allegedly telling police he set a fire in his brother's home while on drugs and then broke into another home, where he destroyed the master bedroom and slept under the bed.
Craig Kosbau faces one count of first-degree arson and one count of second-degree burglary for the incidents that happened on night of Nov. 1.
According to a criminal complaint, emergency personnel responded shortly after 9 p.m. to a house fire on the 10000 block of Foley Boulevard NW. Firefighters knocked down the flames, and found two dogs. They suffered injuries in the fire and received veterinary care.
Kosbau lived on the home's third floor, which is where firefighters say the fire started. The home is owned by Kosbau's brother, who was out of town during the incident.
After the fire, there was no sign of Kosbau, the complaint states. Family members expressed concern for his mental health, and witnesses said they saw someone flee the home.
On the morning of Nov. 2, Kosbau showed up at the police station with a family member. According to the complaint, he told police he had become paranoid after doing drugs for the past several days. He said that on Nov. 1 he took about two grams of speed, piled up all his belongings next to his door, and lit them on fire with a candle. After seeing his things burn, he fled out an upstairs door and jumped off the roof.
Kosbau told police he thought people were after him, the complaint states. He said that after starting the fire he ran through some yards to a nearby house, where he smashed a window to get inside. He didn't know if anyone was home, and he went to the master bedroom, totally destroyed it and slept under the bed. When he woke up, he took some food and clothing and went back to his brother's house.
When officers went to the home Kosbau said he broke into, they found the bedroom completely destroyed with blood in several areas.
If convicted of the charges, Kosbau faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in jail and/or a $40,000 fine.
