‘ Serial arsonist’ admits burning VOA warehouse

A Prairie Township man pleaded guilty Wednesday to multiple felony counts of aggravated arson and arson in connection with a fire that destroyed the Volunteers of America warehouse in Columbus and other fires he has set since 2012.

Aaron Callicoat, 32, could face from three to 32 years in prison, along with five years of mandatory post-release control when he is sentenced May 24 by Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Chris Brown. He also will be registered for life as an arson offender, according to Prosecutor Ron O’Brien’s office.

The most recent arson was on Jan. 2, 2017 at the Volunteers of America, 5640 E. Broad St., where damages exceeded $1 million when much of the agency’s 25,000 square-foot warehouse was destroyed along with the donated items inside. The estimated 225,000 pounds of clothes represented about $450,000 in lost revenue, Volunteers of America officials have said.

The structure was insured, but the items inside were not. The warehouse supplied clothing and household goods to its seven thrift stores in central Ohio, including a store located in front of the warehouse. That store was closed immediately after the fire, but has since reopened.

Last fall, a Franklin County grand jury indicted Callicoat on six counts, including aggravated arson, vandalism and possession of criminal tools. Callicoat also has two unrelated arson cases pending against him, court records show.

Warren Edwards, an assistant prosecutor, said Callicoat had been living out of a nearby storage locker and was known to be among the first to call in suspicious fires, presumably after setting them.

He called 911 twice from a nearby church about the VOA fire. Authorities, who were suspicious, responded to the church and found him with his cellphone which they linked to the calls.

He also was spotted observing the fire aftermath, Edwards said. Callicoat did not not give a motive for his conduct.

“In my opinion, he’s just a serial arsonist who enjoys watching things burn,” said Edwards. Callicoat