PulseJournal.com

A restaurant owner and his son — both severely burned in an explosion at Steak Thyme July 6 — may have been involved in a series of arson attempts on their own business, police said in announcing an arrest in the case.

West Chester Twp. police arrested Joshua Hunter, 22, of Xenia, and charged him with arson for breaking a window at Steak Thyme, 8179 Princeton-Glendale Road, and igniting gasoline inside on July 6.

Police said they believe Essa Shteiwi, son of Steak Thyme owner Musa Shteiwi, hired Hunter

to torch the restaurant and that Hunter also may have been involved in arson attempts on the business May 21 and June 12.

An explosion at the restaurant at 8:30 p.m. July 6, however, was accidental, police said.

Musa and Essa Shteiwi were allegedly pouring gasoline throughout the restaurant in preparation of another arson attempt later that night, said West Chester Twp. Police Lt. David Tivin.

Their plan went wrong when one of the Shteiwis lit a lighter, igniting the fumes in the air.

Both father and son suffered second-degree burns over 80 percent of their bodies. They remain in intensive care, according to a statement released by the family.

Family members also expressed surprise the father and son could be linked to the crimes in any way, and stated they do not believe the allegations, according to the statement.

Tivin said no charges have been filed yet against either of the Shteiwis and will depend on when their conditions improve.

Hunter, who once worked for Shteiwi at another Steak Thyme in Kettering, was released from the Butler County Jail on $10,000 bond. He waived a preliminary hearing Tuesday. A grand jury will hear his case later this week.

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5127 or cfullam@coxohio.com.