Suspect in Auburn Tree Fire Arrested

Horrifically, a tree at Auburn's Toomer’s Corner was set on fire after someone lit the tissue that is traditionally thrown on the tree following a football win. The crime occurred following Auburn's stunning win over LSU on Saturday.

Auburn Police arrested Jochen Wiest, an Auburn resident that does not attend the university, over the weekend for the arson. The 29-year old was booked and charged with “desecration of a venerable object” according to police. He could face up to a year in jail or strenuous fines for the act. Wiest can be seen on a business’ surveillance camera starting the fire.

The fire brings back painful memories of 2011, when a Tuscaloosa man poisoned an oak tree on Toomer’s Corner at Auburn University. The full extent of the damage to the tree set on fire Saturday is not known at this time.