by Josh Lanier

CORNELIUS – A Florida man accused of torching a marked Cornelius police cruiser Sept. 28 has been arrested.

Two Cornelius detectives arrested Stephen Morris Long at his home in Riverview, Fla. Wednesday, Oct. 12. Long will face an extradition hearing in the coming days to determine when he will be returned to the area to face one felony count of malicious use of explosives to damage property and one felony count of burning personal property, police said.

It is unclear how the fire was started, but police did find a small object they believe was used to start the fire. Police haven’t yet determined what the object was.

The Cornelius police cited Long for speeding on Sept. 24. He had been in the area doing construction work at the McGuire Nuclear Station at the time. It is unclear when he returned to Florida or why he allegedly set the cruiser on fire. The detectives who arrested him Wednesday morning were interviewing Long.

Anyone with information in the fire is asked to call Cornelius investigators at 704-892-1363.