Trenton Business Owner Offers $10K Reward for Arrest, Conviction of Arsonist

The owner of West Coin Shop is offering a $10,000 cash reward for the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for a fire set at his business on May 21.

Rusty Hohman, 57, of Romulus, told Patch Tuesday he won't ask any questions. He only means to see those responsible for the fire punished.

"I want them," Hohman said of those responsible for the fire. "I want them really bad."

Hohman said the fire was a total loss. Among the items lost were irreplaceable antiques, historic notes and documents and old photos of Trenton including a photo of a horse and buggy in front of the Grand Hotel.

"It was like a museum," Hohman said. "People would come from out of town to see the antiques."

Hohman preferred not to say the total cost of the damage due to an ongoing negotiation process with his insurance provider.

Trenton Fire Marshal Jeff Evans called the fire was arson because "it was intentionally set." 

The fire also damaged The Loonar Station and The Beach Tanning.

Anyone with information regarding the fire at West Coin Shop, The Loonar Station or The Beach Tanning should call the Trenton Police Department or the Michigan Arson Hotline 1-800-44-ARSON or 1-800-44-27766.