FARMINGTON — A state fire investigator charged a Wilton man on Monday in reporting a vehicle stolen in July 2009. It was found burned days later off the Ridge Road on the Chesterville, Fayette line and insurance money was collected, the investigator said Tuesday.

Jesse Herrin, 24, was arrested on charges of arson, theft by insurance deception and filing a false report, investigator Edward Hastings IV from the Maine Office of the State Fire Marshal said Tuesday.

He was released on $1,000 cash bail on Monday. He is scheduled to appear in a Farmington court on Feb. 24, 2012.

Herrin had reported to Wilton police that his 2000 Chevrolet Suburban was stolen on July 12, 2009, from a parking lot across from Rick’s Market on Route 156, Hastings said.

Six days later on July 18, the vehicle was found burned, he said.

An investigation was done at the time but new information recently came to light and a new investigation launched, he said.

There is probable cause that Herrin participated in getting the vehicle to Chesterville, Hastings said.

The insurance claim cost USAA Auto Insurance about $9,000, he said.

dperry@sunjournal.com

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