The State Fire Marshal's Office have charged a man Tuesday with arson after a trash can was set on fire outside a store in Ellsworth. 

Office of Public Safety
Office of Public Safety
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Fire Investigators arrested 46 year old Patrick Nevells, who is a transient living in the Ellsworth area.  Nevells formerly is from Portland. 

Investigators say a passing motorist saw Nevells set fire to the trash can in the front of Mike's Country Store and then walk off Tuesday afternoon.   The motorist reported the fire to the store owner, who ran out with a fire extinguisher and moved the trash can away from the building at 90 Water Street. 

Nevells was arrested when he returned to the store about three hours later and employees recognized him.   He is being held at the Hancock County Jail in Ellsworth.

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