A Cedar Rapids man is facing charges after a fire in his apartment. Cedar Rapids Police arrested 29-year-old Erik Franks on Monday. Franks is accused of setting several fires in his apartment at 430 Jacolyn Drive S.W. on Saturday and then leaving the scene.
Police say Franks returned on Sunday to find the fires had not extended beyond the materials used to set the fires. His landlord told officers Franks claimed someone had broke in and started the fires. He asked to have equipment replaced in his apartment that had been damaged. Police have charged Franks with first-degree Arson. If convicted, he could face up to 25 years in prison.