2 men charged with setting fire at Davenport strip club
Davenport police arrested two men Thursday in connection with setting a fire at a Davenport strip club in 2005.
Christopher S. Skiles, 36, of 126 S. Thornwood Ave., Davenport, and Joshua Lee Wright, 27, of 18415 Barstow Road, lot 48, Barstow, Ill., each are charged with one count of arson second-degree and one count of conspiracy to commit a felony.
According to the arrest affidavits, Skiles and Wright went to the Links Gentleman’s Club, 643 E. 59th St. at 2:20 a.m. on Aug. 9, 2005. The Links is now The Amsterdam Gentleman’s Club.
Police said both men drove past the business several times before driving into the business’ parking lot and parking, and then allegedly took a gasoline can and poured a liquid on the side of the building. They then ignited the liquid, starting a fire that consumed the sidewall and roof of the building. The blazed caused more than $10,000 in damage.
Arrest affidavits indicate the men and the minivan were allegedly identified from surveillance video and photos. Also, the men’s cell phone records indicated they were in the area at the time of the fire, and that they allegedly called their employer at the time of the incident and spoke about lighting the fire.
Both men were being held late Thursday in the Scott County Jail on $50,000 bond each.
Thomas Geyer can be contacted at (563) 383-2328 or tgeyer@qctimes.com.