Financial woes led to arson, authorities say

ROOSEVELT — A Herriman man who authorities say tried to solve his financial problems by setting fire to a sport utility vehicle he owed money on now faces charges.

Spencer Heath Andrew, 29, was charged Thursday in 8th District Court with arson, a second-degree felony.

Duchesne County sheriff's detective Wade Butterfield said Andrew had co-signed on a 2004 Chevy Tahoe with his mother and still owed "quite a bit of money." He said Andrew drove to his mother's home in Duchesne County on June 2, used a spare key to take the SUV without her knowledge and set it on fire at a nearby oil-field location.

"He tried to put it out and couldn't get it put out," the detective said. "It burned to the ground."

Butterfield said Andrew's mother, who reported her vehicle stolen, had nothing to do with the alleged crime. Andrew is cooperating with investigators, he said.

"He admits it was just a horrible mistake," Butterfield said. "He's felt awful about it ever since."

— Geoff Liesik