Torrington, Wyo. (Story by Denise Heilbrun-Ellis) April 28th, 2021 — During an investigation last week of a suspected arson, Sean Logan Pettus, 32, was arrested and is in custody at the Goshen County Detention Center.

The Affidavit of Probable cause written by Asst. Police Chief Patrick Connelly, stated on April 20, a fire call was received at the dispatch center at the Torrington Police Department at 6:08 a.m. A structure fire at 310 East Valley Rd.
The building is a duplex owned by Edward Perez. The west half is ran by Sharon’s Hair Care and the east side is rented by Sean Pettus for a tattoo parlor named Bad Dreams and Robots.
At approximately 6:27 a.m., TPD was contacted by an employee at Smoker Friendly and reported that Sean Pettus had come into the store and stolen a bottle of Jack Daniel’s whiskey. The employee also stated that he had left a hoodie in the bathroom that smelled strongly of gasoline.
Connelly headed to Smoker Friendly and interviewed two other employees who agreed with the caller on what had happened. And they gave the officer a trash bag which had the hoodie in it. As Officer Connelly opened it, he confirmed it did smell of gasoline.
The State Fire Marshall did investigate the fire and said an accelerant had been used and the fire was started in the west side of the building, the beauty shop. There was significant damage to both sides of the building, from burnt walls, flooring and ceiling. Also, blistered paint, broken mirrors and smoke damage.
Later that same morning, officers were called to a home a few blocks away from the fire for a vehicle theft.  The car owner had started her white 2007 Taurus to warm it up before heading to work and when she returned after about five minutes, her car was gone.
Sgt. Matt Davis called in the vehicle description, plates and VIN number into dispatch.
According to the court records, at about 11 a.m., county deputies located the vehicle near Pioneer Park with Pettus inside. He was wearing dark pants, tennis shoes and no shirt. It appeared he had been in the river as he was soaking wet. After a brief confrontation, Pettus was taken into custody.
Pettus was charged in Circuit Court with felony arson, which if found guilty could face up to a maximum of 20 years imprisonment and/or a $20,000 fine and felony theft which maximum sentence is 10 years and/or $10,000 fine.
He is currently being held at the Goshen County Detention Center and bond has been set at $500,000. The cases are still ongoing. If anyone has any information, please contact the TPD at (307)532-7001.
A preliminary hearing is set in Circuit Court for Pettus on May 3 at 10:30 a.m.