Man charged with arson, burglary and insurance fraud in 2018 Detroit Lakes fire

An Elk River man has been charged with three felonies in connection to a 2018 fire at a Christian outreach center in Detroit Lakes.

According to the Minnesota Department of Commerce, 40-year-old Gary John Bogatz is charged with first-degree arson, insurance fraud and second-degree burglary in connection to the fire at Refuge Christian Outreach Center.

According to the criminal complaint, on Sept. 22, 2018, Detroit Lakes fire and police departments were dispatched to a fire at the Refuge Christian Outreach Center in Detroit Lakes. The initial investigation showed that the fire was intentional.

Detroit Lakes police, the Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division and the Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau conducted an investigation into the incident.

Investigators located a fingerprint on the door handle that was used to access the refuge on the night of the fire. The fingerprint matched the print of Bogatz. Following the positive identification, Bogatz was interviewed and eventually admitted to involvement in the arson, the complaint states.

Bogatz told investigators that, on Sept. 18, 2018, he was asked by a board member of the refuge and another person with connections to the refuge to start the fire. Bogatz was told by the two that the refuge would shut down unless "something happened," the complaint states. Bogatz was then told that there was "a lot of fire insurance" on the building. Bogatz added that he was instructed to make it look like a burglary and burn the building down.

A summons has been issued for Bogatz.