By Cathy Locke
clocke@sacbee.com
The man arrested on suspicion of arson in the two October fires, including one that caused more than $55 million in damage to the Roseville Galleria, has been federally charged with arson.
Charges filed in Placer County will be dismissed, the U.S. attorney in Sacramento said.
A federal grand jury in Sacramento returned an indictment charging Alexander Piggee, 23, of Sacramento with two counts of arson for causing fires that damaged the Westfield Galleria Mall in Roseville and a Wal-Mart store on Antelope Road in Sacramento County. Both fires occurred Oct. 21.
Although the Wal-Mart fire caused only minor damage, the loss from the Galleria fire is expected to be more than $55 million.
Piggee is being held in the Placer County jail on charges stemming from the Galleria arson and will be transferred into federal custody after the Placer County charges are dismissed, according to a federal Department of Justice news release.
"After consulting with law enforcement partners in Placer and Sacramento counties, it was determined that a federal prosecution in which both arsons could be charged and prosecuted in a single proceeding was appropriate in this case," U.S. Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner said in a written statement.
Call The Bee's Cathy Locke, (916) 321-5287.
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