NORTH BRANCH, Minn. (WCCO) – A North Branch man is charged with arson for fires at a veterinary hospital and outside a pizza place.
According to the criminal complaint, 21-year-old Ryan Keith Ortlepp confessed to setting a fire at the North Branch Veterinary hospital.
He also told police he started a fire in a recycling dumpster outside the Pizza Pub.
Police say a witness who had overheard two men talking about setting fires came forward.
The men talked specifically about the veterinary hospital.
An investigator recognized the description and the witness identified Ortlepp in a photo lineup.
Other witnesses also came forward to tell police about the dumpster fire outside the pizza place.
Ortlepp faces more than 10 years in jail if convicted of the crimes.
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