Warrant issued for man accused of burning down own business

HILLSBORO, Ill. (AP) - Authorities in central Illinois have issued an arrest warrant for a businessman they allege burned down his auto and tire shop last year.

The State Journal-Register in Springfield reports (http://bit.ly/2oF4QH9) the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department has issued an arrest warrant on arson charges for 38-year-old Ryan E. Payne of Hillsboro.

Payne is the owner of Payne's Tire and Auto in Schram City.

Montgomery County Undersheriff Rick Robbins alleges Payne burned down the business and duped the public into thinking it was an accident.

Payne owned the auto and tire business with his wife, Christina. Robbins said she has not been charged. However, he added the investigation is continuing.

Robbins said after the fire in May, Payne used insurance money to rebuild on the same site. The business and a restaurant that opened in December have since closed.

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Information from: The State Journal-Register, http://www.sj-r.com