Jewelry-Business Owner Accused of Hiring Man to Burn Rival Store

He’s accused of conspiracy to commit arson.

Federal authorities say William Reneau, owner of Gold Rush Exchange LLC in Independence, MO, hired someone to set fire to a competitor’s business.

Reneau has been charged with conspiracy to commit arson, WDAF-TV reports.

He’s accused of hiring a man identified as “R.Y.” in court documents to set fire to Independence-based Bobby Jackson’s Trading Co., the Kansas City Business Journal reports. The owner of Bobby Jackson’s Trading is a former employee of Reneau’s.

It’s alleged that R.Y. drove a vehicle through the front of the business on July 17, 2017, resulting in about $10,000 in damage, and then came back an set a fire on Aug. 4, 2017, resulting in $5,000 in damage. For starting the blaze, R.Y. was allegedly paid $800.

Prosecutors also allege that Reneau paid another individual $500 to set fire to a home, according to the Business Journal. The residence belonged to the ex-husband of Reneau’s wife.

According to its website, Gold Rush operates four jewelry stores in the Kansas City area.

Read more at WDAF-TV