SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect after an alleged arson fire at a home in Topeka.
Just after 7a.m. Wednesday, police responded to a domestic violence call in the 2600 block of SE Minnesota Avenue, according to Police Lt. Aaron Jones.
Upon arrival they noticed smoke coming from the house. All occupants were able to vacate the residence safely.
The Topeka Fire Department responded as officers continued to gather information about the domestic incident and attempted to locate 31-year-old Rudz Descartes of Topeka, involved in the domestic incident.
Just before 7:30 a.m., an officer located the Descartes near 28th and SE Adams. He resisted arrest and battered a police officer while being taken into custody. There were no injuries as a result of this incident.
The estimated dollar loss from the fire is $7,500.00 of which $5,000.00 is associated with structural loss and $2,500.00 is associated with contents loss, according to Fire Marshal Todd Harrison.
Descartes is being held in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Criminal Threat (Domestic Violence, Violation of a Protection Order, Arson, Felony Obstruction, Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer