Man Arrested for Arson After Fire at Pensacola, FL, Self-Storage Facility

A man has been arrested in connection with a fire last week at a Pensacola, Florida, self-storage facility. Two units at Prime Storage at 1130 W. 9 Mile Road were destroyed by the Thursday morning inferno, and eight others had smoke-related damage, according to the source.

Jacob Wayne Johnston, 44, has been charged with second-degree arson, and criminal mischief and burglary causing property damage of more than $1,000. He was released from jail after posting a $15,000 bond, the source reported.

Johnston was caught by the storage facility’s surveillance cameras breaking into a unit and removing several items. He placed them in his truck, then left the property about 15 minutes before the fire began. Johnston called 911 the day after the fire and asked to speak to a deputy about the incident. He then made a reference to “suicide by cop” to the officer. Text messages from Johnston discussing the arson were also discovered during the investigation, the source reported.

The estimated damage is about $50,000. No one was injured.

Based in Saratoga Springs, New York, Prime Storage operates more than 250 facilities nationwide. It’s the operating brand for Prime Group Holdings LLC.

Source: North Escambia, One Arrested for Arson After Fire at Nine Mile Self Storage Facility