Investigators Arrest Suspect in Salty Nut Cafe Fire

Columbia, SC (WOLO) — Columbia Fire Department investigators say they have arrested a man for intentionally setting a fire at the Salty Nut Cafe in Five Points. Investigators say Walter Podewil was arrested in his home Tuesday night. While searching Podewil’s home, investigators say, they found the equipment necessary to make homemade bombs. “Bomb making materials and other evidence leading us to believe he was going to continue this act,” says Scott Prill, Deputy Chief of the USC Police Department. Investigators also say the Salty Nut Cafe was not his only target. According to warrants obtained by ABC Columbia News, Podewil also threw the devices at various structures around the USC campus. The USC Police Department has charged Podewil with three counts of possession and use of an incendiary device. Podewil also has four charges pending with the Columbia Fire Department. “We’re just glad to get him off hte street because we don’t know what he would have done next,” says Columbia Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins.