Griggsville man charged in connection to three Pike County fires in September now charged in July fire

GRIGGSVILLE, Ill. — Additional charges have been filed against a Griggsville man charged in connection to a series of fires in Pike County.

The Pike County Sheriff’s Department filed charges on Sept. 19 of burglary, arson and criminal damage to property (between $10,000 and $100,000) in connection to an incident on July 26. Travis D. McDonald, 37, of Griggsville is accused of entering and setting a garage on fire in the 600 block of North Chandler Street in Griggsville.  The garage and contents were a total loss to the property owner.  

The Pike County Sheriff’s Department and Office of the State Fire Marshal executed a court-authorized search warrant on Sept. 15 at a residence in the 700 block of North Chandler Street in Griggsville. After the execution of the search warrant, McDonald was arrested on charges of arson and criminal damage to property over $100,000.

Pike County Dispatch received a call in the early morning hours of Sept. 12 to learn of a structure fire at Lynch’s Livestock, 31539 State Highway 107, in Griggsville. Pike County Dispatch received another early-morning call on Sept. 14 of another structure fire at Lynch’s Livestock. The west building of Lynch’s Livestock was on fire. Yet another early-morning call on Sept. 15 of a truck tractor semi-trailer that was fully engulfed in flames while parked at Lynch’s Livestock.

During the investigation, it was determined McDonald was responsible for setting other fires in prior months in the same area.  

McDonald remains lodged in the Pike County Jail.

The incidents are under investigation. Additional charges are pending.