Police were called to an apparent arson attempt, when a victim reported to police that they had found burning items on their front porch, only to extinguish that and find more fire at the back of the residence, according to Paris PD Public Information Officer Curtis Garrett.

Officers responded to a house in the 300 block of NE 3rd Street on Valentine’s Day, where it was reported that someone had set some items on fire on the complaintant’s front porch. The victim extinguished the fire; uninjured.

After containing the first fire, the victim advised police that they smelled smoke then coming from the back side of the residence and located more of the unknown burning items next to the house.  The victim extinguished this fire also and called the Police.

The incident is under investigation and no injuries were reported.

On February 14, Paris Police arrested 22-year-old, Matthew Ryan Hartfield, of Dallas, when he attempted to cash a check that was found to be forged, according to Officer Garrett.  Hartfield was transferred to the Lamar County Jail.

Also arrested on February 14th was 23-year-old, Michael Eric-Edward Freeman, of Paris, on a warrant for burglary of a residence.  Paris police investigators linked Freeman to the burglary that occured in the 1000 block of SE 17th Street, which was originally reported on January 13th, 2013.

There were a total of 5 persons arrested in the past 24 hours, while Paris Police Officers responded to 109 calls for service.