By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
LANDIS ó Police have charged a Landis teenager with burning a town well house, causing about $1,000 in damages.
Jonathan Marquez, 17, of 304 N. Correll St., is charged with burning a public building. The incident occurred June 14. Marquez was placed in the Rowan County Detention Center under $1,000 bond and has since been released.
According to Detective Linda Porter, Marquez told investigators he was “flicking matches at” the well house. Made of cinder block, the structure is located at 1104 N. Meriah Street. The damage was confined to the roof.
Marquez told authorities the fire was an accident.
Another teenager who was with Marquez was not charged. Porter said there was no evidence to indicate the second teenager was involved.
The charge is different from arson, she explained, in that the fire was not caused using an accelerant.