Crime

Accused pet shop arsonist heading back to court

February 20, 2014 / 2:29 PM EST / CBS/AP

LAS VEGAS — A man accused of trying to burn a pet shop where 27 puppies were rescued last month has been returned in custody to Las Vegas to face arson and animal cruelty charges.

Las Vegas police say 27-year-old Kirk Bills was booked Wednesday into the Clark County jail to await a Friday appearance in Las Vegas Justice Court.

Kirk Bills, 27, is accused of helping a Las Vegas pet shop owner torch her store with 27 puppies inside. HOPD, AP

Bills had been held in an Indiana jail after his arrest Feb. 7 in Crown Point, Ind.

Bills and store owner Gloria Eun Hye Lee face felony and misdemeanor arson, conspiracy, burglary and attempted animal cruelty charges in the Jan. 27 fire at Lee's Prince and Princess pet shop.

CBS Las Vegas reports that Lee has been moved to District Court, having already been indicted by a grand jury.

Surveillance video from the pet store reportedly shows Bills pouring something from a gas can into the puppy kennels, according to CBS Los Angeles. Lee has also been identified in the video footage.

Sprinklers quelled flames until Clark County firefighters arrived and rescued the puppies from their cages.

The dogs are being kept at a local animal shelter.

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