Two incidents thought to be unrelated now may be connected to the same suspect.
According to a release from the Branson Police Department, 30-year-old Nathan Gardner was arrested on Thursday morning after Branson Police responded to a call of an assault in the downtown area. Gardner fled the scene but was taken into custody shortly afterward and charged with 3rd Degree Felony Assault as well as Stealing.
Further investigation by Law Enforcement also connected Gardner to an incident earlier in the morning when both Branson Police and Fire responded to a hotel fire. According to a post from the Branson Professional Firefighters Local 152 Facebook Page, the damage to the hotel was contained to a small area.
Branson Police confirm that an investigation subsequently determined the fire to be arson and connected it to Gardner, who has now also been charged with 1st Degree Arson.
Gardner, listed to be from Forsyth on the Taney County Inmate List, is being held without bond in the Taney County Jail.
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