August 15, 2016 - Center Fire Department responded to a house fire on Tuesday August 2, 2016 located at 306 Travis Street. Center Police Department officers were called out because the fire was suspicious in nature which led to Detectives being called out.
Lead Detective Stephen Stroud and Detective David Haley processed the scene with Chief Byndom and determined that it could only be a deliberate fire. Detectives canvased the area for witnesses where it was discovered that two suspects were seen in the area at the time of the arson. They are identified as 32 year old Shaddrick Tawan McCollister and 17-year-old Michael Casey Jr.
Upon interviewing the subjects, Casey confessed he and McCollister set the fire and provided details that only the suspect could know. During the investigation, Detective Stroud discovered McCollister was responsible for an unsolved arson that took place at Hidden Creek Trailer Park trailer, #303 on August 29, 2015.
Suspect Shaddrick Tawan McCollister was arrested on August 10, 2016 at the Shelby County Sheriff's Department where he received a personal recognizance bond and was released by the Sheriff's Department.
On August 12, 2016 Michael Casey Jr was arrested for the Arson at 306 Travis Street and transported to the Center Police Department where Maxie Eaves, Justice of the Peace Pct. 1, gave him a $4,000 bond.
On August 12, 2016 Shaddrick Tawan McCollister was arrested for the 2015 arson case that took place at Hidden Creek Trailer park. He was transported to the Center Police Department where Judge Eaves gave him a $4,000 bond.
Detective Stroud advised that McCollister is a danger to our community, and is currently out on bond from two other arson cases, from 2012. In one of the cases McCollister set fire to a residence where the family was asleep when the fire began. McCollister did confess to both 2012 Arson cases.
Detective Stroud is working closely with assistant District Attorney Stephen Shires to ensure the safety of our community.
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Center PD Makes Arrest in Travis Street Arson
Center FD Fights Travis Street House Fire; PD Opens Arson Investigation
