A Wayne man, 47-year old Michael Ellis, has been arrested on several charges in connection with a fire in Wayne in the early morning hours of March 7.
According to court documents, Ellis was arrested on charges of Criminal Mischief, $5000 +, which is a Class 4 Felony; Arson, Second Degree, a Class 3 Felony and Domestic Assault, 3rd Degree (threat/ bodily harm), which is a Class I Misdemeanor.
Ellis was arrested following an investigation into a garage fire on West Second Street at the home of his "on again, off-again" partner.
Ellis originally told the officers responding to the call that the fire started accidentally after a lighted cigarette was thrown on the ground.
The Wayne Police Department later received two phone calls from two different relatives of Ellis' in regard to social media posts and an hour-long phone call with Ellis in which he made threats to the women.
Following these calls and further investigation, Ellis was arrested and transported to Antelope County Jail in Neligh.
He is scheduled to have a hearing in Wayne County Court on Monday, March 18.
