WINDSOR, Mo. — Police in Missouri said they were led to a suspected arsonist by a hand-drawn smiley face.
Eric Mills, of Windsor, is charged with second-degree arson, KMBC-TV reported.
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Mills is accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail at a local restaurant, the Sidetrack Cafe, on Wednesday, causing it to burn down. Fire investigators had previously spoken with Mills about a fire that occurred Tuesday next door to his house, and another fire two blocks away.
Investigators said they suspected Mills because they noticed a smiley face drawn on the deck of his residence when they interviewed him Tuesday.
Witness Michael Neal said the Molotov cocktail Mills threw had the same smiley face drawn on it.
"It had, like, teeth on it and a little bit of facial hair," Neal said.
As of Thursday, Mills was in the Henry County jail.
Cox Media Group