Woman faces arson charges in Macomb and Oakland counties over utility pole fires
A Belleville, Michigan, woman who is charged in connection with utility pole fires in Macomb County has now been charged in Oakland County as well.
According to the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office, 38-year-old Kasheia Eitia Lewis-Strauss was arraigned at the 41A District Court on Monday on third-degree arson and assault with a dangerous weapon. Prosecutors allege that Lewis-Strauss nearly hit a Sterling Heights firefighter when she fled.
She received a $150,000 cash/surety bond.
Macomb County prosecutors say that on Oct. 1, firefighters responded to a Dollar Tree store on Hall Road in Sterling Heights for downed wires. Authorities spotted a woman walking between a vehicle and a nearby pole, which showed signs of charring and smelled of gasoline. Firefighters attempted to talk to the woman, but she drove out of the parking lot at high speed.
After investigators identified Lewis-Strauss as a suspect, Pittsfield Township police stopped her for an alleged traffic violation and took her into custody. The investigation found that Lewis-Strauss may be linked to other fire incidents involving utility poles in Auburn Hills and Ypsilanti, according to prosecutors.
On Oct. 6, the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office charged Lewis-Strauss with one count of fourth-degree arson in connection with fires in Auburn Hills.
Oakland County prosecutors say that on Oct. 1, the Auburn Hills Fire Department responded to a utility pole fire on North Opdyke Road and spotted Lewis-Strauss walking away from the scene and fleeing in a vehicle. Lewis-Strauss allegedly admitted to Auburn Hills investigators of using gasoline to set the pole on fire.
Lewis-Strauss is due back in court on Oct. 12 for a probable cause conference in the Sterling Heights case.
In a statement last Friday, DTE said it was working with local and federal law enforcement in investigating at least eight utility pole fires.
"There is no place for vandalism that threatens public safety and disrupts service for our customers," the company said. "These criminal acts not only cut power to thousands of customers but also pulled police, firefighters and lineworkers away from other critical work that keeps our communities safe. The fires created an extremely dangerous situation that could have spread, putting property and lives at risk."
