Iowans and South Dakotans Charged in Arson Schemes

Federal grand jurors have indicted two Sioux Falls men on charges of burning down their car stereo installation business to collect the insurance money.

One of them, Chad Michael Blair, 31, earlier was charged with an unrelated scheme to set fire to a truck in Des Moines, Iowa, so the owner could claim insurance benefits.

The new indictment charges Blair and Dai Thanh Ong, 27, with conspiracy and arson.

They ran the business Mobile Acoustics & Window Tinting in Sioux Falls and came up with a plan to pay someone to burn the place down, according to the indictment.

After the close of business Aug. 9, 2006, Blair, Ong and another person allegedly poured gasoline inside the establishment, and the next day Blair and Ong set fire to it, the document states.

Blair has been released on bond but Ong has not been arrested.

The accomplice’s name is not included in court documents. U.S. Attorney Marty Jackley said he could not comment whether the third person was hired to commit arson.

The fire destroyed the inside of the building and did about $110,000 in damage, said C.J. Bowker, who manages the property in which the business was located.

Information from: Argus Leader