The Hill County Sheriff’s Office arrested an area volunteer firefighter last week after an investigation into a June house fire. It was the second arrest of a firefighter related to a burglary and arson case.
Justin Moore, 19, of Whitney was booked into the Hill County Law Enforcement Center Saturday, August 10, on an arson charge. He was previously arrested Friday, July 26, and charged with burglary of a habitation.
Robert Vieregge, 21, of Hillsboro, turned himself in at the sheriff’s office Friday, July 26, on a burglary of a habitation charge related to the case.
Both men were volunteer firefighters with the 2604 Volunteer Fire Department.
According to reports, the investigation began after a structure fire was reported in the FM 2604 area Monday, June 10. An elderly woman who lived at the residence was staying with family in the Dallas-Fort Worth area at the time of the fire.
The structure was completely destroyed, but a gun safe was found still standing on the property that appeared to have been pried open, and no firearms were found inside.
A private arson investigator determined that the fire was arson, and the state fire marshal reportedly confirmed that assessment.
According to HCSO, 21 guns were reported to have been stolen from the property.
On July 15, deputies located a rifle that had been traded to an individual in exchange for a handgun. The rifle was determined to have been stolen from the scene of the fire.
Another break in the investigation came when Vieregge was treated at Hill Regional Hospital for an accidental gunshot wound to the leg. HCSO reportedly discovered that Moore accidentally shot Vieregge with what the men initially reported was the traded handgun. However, HCSO later discovered that the weapon involved was actually one of the stolen firearms.
HCSO reported that the investigation revealed Moore and Vieregge had been selling the firearms that were stolen from the scene.
HCSO Investigator Robert White reported that Vieregge lived directly across from the burned house. While Moore confessed to committing arson to cover up the burglary, White said that Vieregge had no knowledge of the arson but admitted to breaking in with Moore and stealing the guns.
The two men assisted the deputies in recovering 16 of the stolen firearms.
Moore’s bonds totaled $515,000 on the burglary and arson charges. Vieregge’s bond was set at $15,000 on the burglary charge.
The Lakelander 