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Transient charged with arson

A Lebanon transient has been arrested and charged with arson in connection with a February fire that occurred at a residence in the 300 block of Russell Street in Lebanon, Sheriff Bruce Riley reported.

Joshua Lee Laub

Riley said , 29,  was arrested at about 6 a.m. Thursday, May 24. The Linn County Sheriff’s Office 9-1-1 Center received a call regarding a fire at 8:05 p.m. on Feb. 7. The Lebanon Fire Department extinguished the fire and fire investigators determined the cause was arson.

Detectives of the Linn County Sheriff’s Office conducted the criminal investigation. Riley said it was determined the residence was in foreclosure and nobody was living there at the time of the fire. The damage to the residence as a result of the fire was in excess of $75, 000. Investigators were able to identify Laub as a person of interest in the fire after receiving tips from the public. Ultimately Laub was interviewed and confessed to starting the fire, Riley said.

Laub was arrested and charged with Arson I and Criminal Mischief I.