Cedar Rapids man charged with starting fires at Greene Square

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids man was arrested Thursday after police say he started a trash can fire and several smaller fires at Greene Square while carrying a sword.

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Damien Brummet, 19, is charged with second-degree arson and third-degree criminal mischief. According to a criminal complaint, he was caught on security footage Tuesday night lighting alcohol wipes on fire and tossing them into a trash can, and then spraying spray paint on the fire to enlarge it. He eventually threw his can of spray paint into the fire, where it exploded and shot sparks and debris out of the trash can.

Police responded to the report of a trash can fire at about 11:45 p.m., Tuesday. Witnesses described the person who started the fire to police and said he had been carrying a sword, and police found Brummet one block north of the park, matching the given descriptions, according to the complaint.

Several smaller fires, also started using alcohol wipes, were located in the park, and there was a cereal box lit on fire next to a tree, as if Brummet was trying to set the tree on fire. The cost to replace the damage caused by the fires is $884, according to the complaint.

“This area is frequently used by the unhoused, and it not unusual for people to be sleeping or occupying the area around this receptacle,” the complaint states. “This intentional act not only damaged property, but placed himself and others occupying the park at risk for injury. Knowingly placing explosive items into a fire also places an inherent risk on responding emergency personnel,” the complaint states.

Brummet has his first appearance in court Friday and is being held on a $15,000 bond.

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