Man accused of setting fires as diversion, burglarizing store

Fremont County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested a Colorado Springs man accused of setting fires as a diversion to burglarize a store.

43-year-old Edward Eugene Erickson was caught at the True Value Trailers located at US Hwy 50 and State Hwy 67 east of Canon City on Wednesday.

A deputy saw Erickson’s car parked on the north side of the building. Erickson apparently saw the patrol car and attempted to hide. Upon entering the property, the deputy found that the chain securing the entrance gate had been cut. He was able to take Erickson into custody. Deputies believe Erickson was interrupted before he had an opportunity to break into the business.

During the on scene investigation, deputies learned that Erickson had been in the True Value store earlier that day and was suspected of starting a small grass fire on the east side of the property as a diversionary tactic to distract employees in the store.

Erickson had also been in the store a week earlier attempting to steal a chain saw according to store employees. About a half hour before Erickson’s arrest, a store employee advised deputies to be on the lookout for Erickson.

Deputies found a loaded .357 magnum revolver on the front seat of Erickson’s car. They also found burglary tools, and identifications and license plates believed to be stolen from several victims in the Canon City area.

Erickson was booked into the Fremont County Detention Center on four outstanding warrants:
Criminal Trespass-$2,000 bond
Traffic charges- $10,000 bond
Obstruction of a Police officer- $2,000 bond
Parole Violation- No Bond

He is being held on a $3,000 bond for the below charges resulting from this arrest:
Criminal Attempt/Second degree Burglary- Felony
Second Degree Criminal Trespass- Misdemeanor
Criminal Mischief- Misdemeanor
Possession of Burglary Tools- Felony
Fourth Degree Arson- Felony
Criminal Impersonation- Felony
Possession of a Weapon by a Previous Offender- Felony