An Oconto man has been charged with starting the Christmas Eve fire at Log Jam Saloon in Oconto.
Donald L. Tappa, 39, was charged Thursday in Oconto Circuit Court with one count of arson for setting fire at the bar at 900 Main St., which resulted in $100,000 in damage.
Tappa also faces several other counts, including two counts of burglary and one count of theft, relating to the theft of money from a safe, jukebox and ATM at the bar. According to a criminal complaint, all three showed signs of forced entry.
Oconto Fire and Rescue Department units were called to the fire about midnight Dec. 24.
Agents with the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigations determined the source of the fire to be piles of paper and rubber-backed rugs placed at the base of a stairwell that leads to vacant apartments on the upper floor.
Tappa became a suspect after an Oconto patrol officer observed him sitting in a vehicle across the street from the Log Jam Saloon shortly before the fire was reported. Tappa has been in custody since Jan. 8 on a parole violation.
The owner of the building at the time of the fire was William Hugo.
According to a criminal complaint, a January search of a garage and apartment used by Tappa uncovered several prying tools, a black backpack and a reciprocating saw, all believed to have been involved in the crime.
If convicted, Tappa faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison for arson, 12 and a half years for each burglary count and three years for theft.
The Oconto Police Department, Oconto Fire Department and the Division of Criminal Investigation/Fire Marshal’s office conducted a joint investigation of the fire.
Oconto Police Chief Dan Ault and Oconto Fire Chief Jack Mlnarik said in a news release that hard work, dedication and attention to detail were keys to the investigation.
According to Mlnarik, the bar is scheduled to reopen June 3.
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