2 arrested in Christmas tree fire at Denny's

Tip leads to arrests of Christopher Maddocks, Ryan Monroe in Christmas tree fire at Denny's

Christopher Maddocks, 24, and Ryan Monroe, 26, have been arrested in connection with a fire at a Northeast Side Denny's restaurant in December, thanks to a tip phoned in to Crime Stoppers.

San Antonio police issued an appeal through local media outlets earlier this week, asking anyone who recognized the men in the surveillance pictures to call them.  

An arrest warrant affidavit stated that a master sergeant with the U. S. Air Force identified the suspects as Maddocks and Monroe. Both have been charged with arson.

Police said the two men could be seen in video, tossing a burning object into a Christmas tree inside Denny's near Interstate 35 and Rittiman Road as they walked out the door. They said the suspects were upset with wait staff at the restaurant.

The Dec. 16 fire caused about $150,000 in damage, and had  customers and staff fleeing the smoke and flames.

The affidavit does not mention if Maddocks and Monroe are members of the military, themselves.

Ryan Monroe mug

Christopher Maddocks mug

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About the Author:

Katrina Webber joined KSAT 12 in December 2009. She reports for Good Morning San Antonio. Katrina was born and raised in Queens, NY, but after living in Gulf Coast states for the past decade, she feels right at home in Texas. It's not unusual to find her singing karaoke or leading a song with her church choir when she's not on-air.