Tuesday, October 19, 2004


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2 indicted for Nelson's arson

By Ryon List - Daily News staff writer
GRAND RAPIDS -- Thoughts of the charred remains of Jack Nelson Jr.'s business have been a constant reminder that arsonists destroyed the Greenville-area landmark three years ago.

Though Nelson's Speed Shop became a bigger and upgraded building after the Sept. 17, 2001, blaze, Nelson wondered who would have started the fire at his store, which had been around for more than 30 years.

Now U.S. Department of Justice attorneys say they know who torched the Speed Shop. On Monday, the Grand Rapids office announced that two 53-year-old men from eastern Michigan were indicted on Sept. 23 for the arson of one of the largest snowmobile dealers in the United States.

"It is a little bit of a relief and it will put to rest some rumors," Nelson said Monday. "At least now you know it's not somebody close to you. It will bring some closure."

Richard Crew of Durand and Stewart David Barron, who is serving a prison sentence in the Thumb Correctional Facility in Caro, both were indicted on one count of arson and one count of conspiracy to commit arson by a federal grand jury in Grand Rapids.

Both face a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The indictment alleged the arson caused $2.5 million damage at Nelson's Speed Shop.

According to a copy of the indictment, Crew worked as a salesman at Tom's Cycle in St. Johns. He apparently wanted to destroy Nelson's business, which was a competitor.

According to the indictment, Crew contacted a friend, Richard Robertson, and told him he was willing to pay $10,000 to have Nelson's Speed Shop burned down. Crew allegedly told Robertson about a month before it burned that he wanted Nelson's "burned to the ground as soon as possible."

Robertson, who has not been charged with a crime in the case, allegedly contacted Barron to burn down the Greenville business. After Barron received an initial payment of $1,000, he used a propane tank to burn down the business on Sept. 17, 2001.

The indictment alleges that Crew obtained a total of $10,000 from Tom's Cycle owner, Thomas Klein, to pay for the arson at Nelson's Speed Shop.

Klein also has not been charged.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. MacDonald, who is prosecuting the case, was unavailable for comment today.

"The crime of arson is one of the most difficult types of cases to solve," said Valerie J. Goddard, a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). "But this case was solved the old-fashioned way, through police instincts and a thorough investigation by ATF agents and investigators of the Michigan State Police."

Crew was arraigned Monday in federal court in Grand Rapids on the arson charges. He later was released on a $50,000 bond. Barron is scheduled for arraignment at 2 p.m. next Monday in federal court on the arson charges.

Barron is serving a 10- to 20-year prison sentence on Dec. 11, 2002, felony drug and weapons convictions. According to the Michigan Department of Corrections, he committed those crimes on March 1, 2002.

Barron also was imprisoned in the late 1990s for a number of crimes ranging from breaking and entering to inducing a minor to commit a crime.

Investigators with the Michigan State Police in Lakeview initially handled the arson case. The crime became a federal offense and the ATF got involved after the total financial loss reached the several-million-dollar mark, according to State Trooper Ray Sowa.

Michigan State Police Det. Sgt. Sally Wolter investigated the case since it began and was unavailable for comment today.

Sowa said the investigation is being wrapped up.

"It's amazing that three years later they could piece this thing together and make an arrest," Nelson said.

Nelson continued selling snowmobiles, tractors and all-terrain vehicles out of snowmobile trailers just a few days after the blaze consumed most of his business. A little less than a year after the business was destroyed, Nelson opened a new store at the same location.

Still, he said he preferred the former building.

Nelson and his father started selling and repairing snowmobiles in his father's basement about 37 years ago. Nelson took over the business in the fall of 1971 and a year later moved it into a warehouse he built just down the road, where it has been for about 33 years.

"It's nice to have a new building but I miss the old one," Nelson said. "It's been quite a job getting into this one. It took a lot to get things going again after more than 30 years in business."

Staff writer Ryon List can be reached at rlist@staffordgroup.com or (616) 754-9303 ext. 3050.




Bill Manson
Michigan Snowmobile Association

That is one way of eliminating competion. If you can't offer better pricing, better selection or better service then next best thing is to burn down your competitior, what kinda of thinking do these kinda people have. Jack has always run a good business with loyal customers.

Lock them up and throw away the key i say.nothing wrong with a little competion.Thats why we race each other.Nelsons is a great shop and i'm glad they caught those chumps. :banana: :div20: