An Arizona man is accused of torching his former workplace after being fired over photos he allegedly took of bikini-clad coffee shop workers — and investigators say his own phone helped lead them straight to him.
Noah Aaron Ross, 23, faces arson, third-degree burglary, unlawful-entry and criminal-damage charges stemming from a June 30 fire at Three Bars Feed & Tack in New River, north of Phoenix.
The blaze erupted around midnight and ripped through the business’s hay yard, destroying its hay supply and damaging a storage container.
Store owner Lynn Ineson estimated the loss at about $60,000.
“We have been sad. We have cried. We have been scared, and now we are angry,” Ineson said after the fire.
Investigators quickly concluded the blaze did not appear accidental.
Surveillance footage allegedly showed a tall person entering the property shortly before the fire and setting Bermuda hay ablaze.
Attention soon turned to Ross, a former employee who had been fired roughly a month earlier.
According to court documents cited by Arizona’s Family and FOX 10 Phoenix, Ross lost his job after allegedly stopping at Bikini Beans Coffee while driving a company vehicle, taking photos of women working there in swimsuits and later showing the images to managers.
But investigators say the most damaging clue may have come from the store’s own Wi-Fi.
The network was intended for employees, and the password had apparently never been changed after Ross was terminated.
Detectives discovered that a phone labeled “Noah” connected to the network shortly before the fire began, according to court records.
A second prepaid device also allegedly connected to the Wi-Fi, while cell-tower data placed Ross in the area around the same time.
Investigators say Ross later returned to the burned property wearing what appeared to be a GoPro-style camera and asked about the status of the investigation.
That visit reportedly raised even more suspicion.
After police executed a search warrant at his home, Ross allegedly admitted that he and a friend had returned to the property after drinking beer and whiskey.
According to court documents, the pair decided they wanted to “do something fun.”
Police allege Ross used a torch lighter to ignite the hay while his friend cut a security-camera wire.
The Daisy Mountain Fire Department responded before the flames could spread farther.
Ineson said the fire could have become much worse had firefighters not arrived when they did.
“Had Daisy Mountain not responded, I can’t imagine what would’ve happened,” she told Arizona’s Family.
Court records cited by FOX 10 also say Ross was already on probation in Greenlee County for sexual conduct with a minor at the time of the alleged arson.
Three Bars Feed & Tack thanked investigators and first responders after Ross was arrested, saying the business was grateful to everyone who helped during what it called a difficult time.
Authorities credited the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, Phoenix arson investigators, Daisy Mountain Fire & Medical and other agencies with helping build the case.
