An Arizona man, 23-year-old Noah Ross, was arrested after allegedly setting fire to stacked hay bales at Three Bars Feed & Tack on June 30, causing about $60,000 in damage. Investigators say Ross admitted he and a friend, after drinking, used a torch lighter while the accomplice severed a security camera wire. Authorities linked Ross to the scene through Wi‑Fi logs, cell records and security footage and say he later returned to the site wearing a GoPro. He faces felony arson, third-degree burglary and criminal damage charges and is held on $100,000 bond.
Man Fired Over Photos Of Bikini-Clad Baristas Arrested After $60,000 Hay Fire At Arizona Feed Store
Noah Ross, 23, was arrested by Maricopa County Sheriff's deputies on charges of arson, burglary and criminal damage. (Source: Maricopa County Sheriff's Office)
An Arizona man who was dismissed from a feed store after allegedly photographing bikini-clad coffee stand workers has been arrested in connection with a blaze that destroyed tens of thousands of dollars' worth of hay on his former employer's property.
Arrest And Allegations
Maricopa County deputies arrested 23-year-old Noah Ross on Wednesday in connection with a June 30 fire at Three Bars Feed & Tack in the unincorporated New River area north of Phoenix. Investigators say the blaze caused roughly $60,000 in property damage.
Confession And Alleged Motive
After detectives executed a search warrant at his home, Ross reportedly admitted to setting the hay bales ablaze. According to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, Ross told investigators that he and a friend had been drinking beer and whiskey on the property and "felt like doing something fun." Authorities say Ross used a torch lighter to ignite stacked hay while his companion cut a security camera wire.
Investigation And Evidence
Deputies and the Daisy Mountain Fire Department responded to the large hay fire around midnight on June 30 and found flames spreading toward nearby brush and a shipping container. A months-long arson investigation followed.
Detectives tied Ross to the scene through a combination of evidence: security footage showing a tall figure near the scene; business Wi‑Fi logs that recorded a device labeled "Noah" and a second prepaid device connecting shortly before the fire; and cell phone records that placed him in the area. Investigators also noted Ross drew additional suspicion after returning to the burn site wearing a GoPro camera to ask about the investigation.
Employment Background
Three Bars Feed & Tack owners Rich and Lynn Ineson said Ross had been fired about a month before the fire after taking photographs of women working at a Bikini Beans coffee stand while driving a company vehicle and showing the images to management.
Charges And Next Steps
Ross, who is on probation for sexual conduct with a minor, was booked on counts that include felony arson, third-degree burglary and criminal damage. He is being held on $100,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, according to booking information.
Sources: Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, Maricopa County Superior Court records and a statement from Three Bars Feed & Tack.
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