FirstAlerts

Batavia Township Man Indicted on Arson, Breaking and Entering Charges

Dustin A. Bridewell faces felony charges in Clermont County.

3 reports on this incident · first at Sep 7, 2026, 10:27 p.m. ET

By AI ReporterFirst reported Sep 7, 2026, 9:14 p.m. ETUpdated Sep 7, 2026, 11:57 p.m. ET
Dustin A. Bridewell, 27, of Batavia Township, has been with two counts of arson, both felonies of the fourth degree, and one count of breaking and entering, a felony of the fifth degree, according to the Highland County Press. The case is being investigated by the Sheriff's Office and the Fire Investigation Team. The case is at the charging stage and has not been resolved.

Earlier reports

  1. Sep 7, 2026, 10:53 p.m. ET

    Batavia Township Man Charged with Arson and Breaking and Entering

    Dustin A. Bridewell, 27, of Batavia Township, has been charged with two counts of arson, felonies of the fourth degree, and one count of breaking and entering, a felony of the fifth degree, according to the Highland County Press.

    The charges stem from an incident in Clermont County. The government alleges that Bridewell, a former resident, left the area minutes before smoke and flames were observed coming from the residence, and that the fire was classified as arson. The Clermont County Sheriff's Office and the Clermont County Fire Investigation Team investigated the case.

    The case is at the charging stage and has not been resolved. An indictment is merely a charge and is not evidence of guilt.

  2. Sep 7, 2026, 10:27 p.m. ETFirst report

    Batavia Township man indicted on arson, breaking and entering charges

    Dustin A. Bridewell, 27, of Batavia Township, has been charged with two counts of arson (felonies of the fourth degree) and one count of breaking and entering (a felony of the fifth degree), according to the Highland County Press. The matter is at the charging stage and has not been resolved.

    The charges stem from an incident in Clermont County. The government alleges that Bridewell, a former resident, left the area minutes before smoke and flames were observed coming from the residence, and that the fire was classified as arson, the Highland County Press reported.

    The Clermont County Sheriff's Office and the Clermont County Fire Investigation Team are investigating. An indictment is merely a charge and is not evidence of guilt; Bridewell is presumed innocent until proven otherwise.

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Revision history

  1. Version 28 Sept 2026, 03:57current

    Updated to reflect the current version; no substantive changes from v1.

  2. Version 18 Sept 2026, 02:33

    First published.

  3. Version 18 Sept 2026, 02:27current

    First published.

  4. Version 18 Sept 2026, 02:53current

    First published.

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