This Feb. 5, 2021, photo provided by the McClennan County Sheriff's Office in Waco, Texas, shows Nicholas Miller. Authorities say that Miller, the suspect in a fire that destroyed all but the outer rock walls of a 111-year-old Texas courthouse, is being held on arson charges. (McClennan County Sheriff's Office via AP)
WACO, Texas – The suspect in a fire that destroyed all but the outer rock walls of a 111-year-old Texas courthouse is being held on arson charges, authorities say.
Nicholas Miller, who remained jailed Tuesday, was arrested Friday morning after leading authorities on a chase that ended near Waco, 170 miles (270 kilometers) northeast of Mason, the city where the courthouse was set on fire the night before, authorities said.
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Mason County Judge Jerry Bearden has said that the person suspected in the fire at the Mason County Courthouse was also suspected of setting another blaze around the same time at a home about a mile away.
Miller, 41, was being held Tuesday in McLennan County jail on two counts of arson, burglary of a building, unlawful possession of a firearm and evading arrest. He’s being held on a $1.8 million bond. Jail records don’t list an attorney for him.
Authorities say that on Friday morning, police in Georgetown, located north of Austin, tried to pull Miller over on Interstate 35, but he did not stop. State troopers later took the lead in the chase, which ended south of Waco after authorities put out spikes, said Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Ryan Howard.
At the time of the fire, the courthouse was being prepared for renovation, so all of the county records had been removed.
This drone photo provided by the Texas State Fire Marshal's Office, shows the aftermath of a fire at the Mason County Courthouse, Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, in Mason, Texas. An official says a suspect has been taken into custody following the massive fire Thursday that destroyed all but the rock outer walls of the 111-year-old courthouse. Fire investigators suspect arson in both the courthouse fire and a fire around the same time at a house about a mile away. (Texas State Fire Marshal's Office via AP) (Texas State Fire Marshal's Office)This drone photo provided by the Texas State Fire Marshal's Office, shows the aftermath of a fire at the Mason County Courthouse, Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, in Mason, Texas. An official says a suspect has been taken into custody following the massive fire Thursday that destroyed all but the rock outer walls of the 111-year-old courthouse. Fire investigators suspect arson in both the courthouse fire and a fire around the same time at a house about a mile away. (Texas State Fire Marshal's Office via AP) (Texas State Fire Marshal's Office)This photo provided by Mason County Judge Jerry Bearden shows a fire at the Mason County Courthouse, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021, in Mason, Texas. An official says a suspect has been taken into custody following the massive fire that destroyed all but the rock outer walls of the 111-year-old courthouse. Fire investigators suspect arson in both the courthouse fire and a fire around the same time at a house about a mile away. (Mason County Judge Jerry Bearden via AP) (Mason County Judge Jerry Bearden)This photo provided by Mason County Judge Jerry Bearden shows a fire at the Mason County Courthouse, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021, in Mason, Texas. An official says a suspect has been taken into custody following the massive fire that destroyed all but the rock outer walls of the 111-year-old courthouse. Fire investigators suspect arson in both the courthouse fire and a fire around the same time at a house about a mile away. (Mason County Judge Jerry Bearden via AP) (Mason County Judge Jerry Bearden)This photo provided by Mason County Judge Jerry Bearden shows a fire at the Mason County Courthouse, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021, in Mason, Texas. An official says a suspect has been taken into custody following the massive fire that destroyed all but the rock outer walls of the 111-year-old courthouse. Fire investigators suspect arson in both the courthouse fire and a fire around the same time at a house about a mile away. (Mason County Judge Jerry Bearden via AP) (Mason County Judge Jerry Bearden)
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