Employee Pleads Guilty To Tire Store Arson

BALTIMORE (WJZ)-- Jason T. Hicks pleaded guilty Tuesday for burning down Belvedere Tires, where he worked.

For first-degree arson, Hicks was sentenced to 10 years in prison with all but time served suspended, and three years of supervised probation. He also must serve 100 hours of community service and tour the burn unit at Johns Hopkins Hospital within six months.

On Sept. 26,  authorities say Hicks was flicking a lighter near a paint brush saturated with a mixture of tar and gasoline and a five-gallon bucket filled with liquid. A spark ignited a fire that burned throughout the night. Hicks flicked the lighter because he wanted to use a colleague's paint brush.

The store owner, who didn't want Hicks to be jailed, has said he would be willing to rehire the 35-year-old upon release.