Police in Germany have caught a woman who set on fire apartment blocks owned by multi-millionaire lotto winner Chico.
The 45-year-old suspect was apprehended after the fires broke out in the attics and the basements of the flats in the city of Dortmund, in the German state of North Rhine-Wesphalia.
Upon the arrest, the woman, whose name was not disclosed by police, admitted to having deliberately started the fires, at 4.20am on 24th November.
When quizzed she reportedly said that she felt the “urge to set things alight” at the time, as she was under the influence of drugs.
Dortmund Police said in a statement obtained by Newsflash: “The responsible investigating judge at the Dortmund District Court issued an arrest warrant against the accused today, on 1st December.
“There are reasonable indications that further fires can be attributed to the accused. The investigations are ongoing.”
Public Prosecutor Felix Giesenregen said that police identified the suspect by tracking her smartphone.
More than 20 residents were evacuated and four tenants were hospitalised after the apartment blocks, owned by multi-millionaire lotto winner Kursat Yildirim, 43, known as Chico, were set alight.
Dortmund Fire Department spokesman Matthias Kleinhans explained: “Twenty-three residents were able to leave the buildings in time. Some of them needed our support.”
Around 70 firefighters had to be deployed to put out the blaze, he added.
At the time , firefighters told local media that both buildings’ roofs had been gutted by the blaze.
Former jailbird Chico told local media: “It is impossible to determine the overall damage. The police have closed the buildings to investigate.
“The apartments may have not been harmed. But the attics and the cellars have been badly damaged.”
Chico recently told how he had invested EUR 6.7 million (GBP 5.8 million) of his lotto jackpot win in property.
The outspoken social media star, who has more than 1.17 million followers, added in a video that quickly went viral: “Guys, you have probably never seen such a multimillionaire. I still live with my parents.”
Chico added: “I’m very happy. Don’t know. You must not forget where you are coming from.”
Chico came to Germany from Turkey at age 12 and grew up in the tough working-class district where the buildings are located.
He said: “I know everyone in this neighbourhood. When I heard what happened, I immediately asked all of my pals whether they had any video surveillance footage.”
He added: “Seeing this was a shock. Thankfully no one got seriously harmed.“
Chico has become a media sensation over his frank honesty about his money.
The former crane operator has splashed out on a fleet of supercars, luxury watches, and designer clothes.
And since he took up with glamorous police chief Candice Newgas, 36, he has lavished her with expensive presents.
