Man sentenced to up to 20 years in prison for setting fire to ex-girlfriend's attached garage in Macomb County

MT. CLEMENS (WWJ) -- A St. Clair County man will serve at least a couple of years in prison after authorities say he set his ex-girlfriend's garage on fire in Northern Macomb County .

According to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office, 31-year-old Zachary Zielonka of Riley Township pleaded no contest to charges of second degree arson and first degree home invasion in connection with the incident last September.

Investigators said Zielonka broke into the attached garage of his ex’s home, on Pratt Rd. in Richmond Township, on Sept. 7, 2023, and set a vehicle on fire before fleeing.

Police said two adults and three kids were in the house when the fire broke out, at around 3 a.m. Fortunately, the family was awakened by a loud noise, and all were able to escape uninjured.

When sheriff's deputies arrived at the scene, they found the attached garage fully engulfed in flames with heavy smoke.

On Tuesday, Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Julie Gatti sentenced Zielonka to the Michigan Department of Corrections for anywhere from 30 months, to as much as 20 years for both counts.

“Our community can rest a little easier knowing that such dangerous behavior will not be tolerated. We remain committed to upholding the law and protecting our citizens from such acts,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido, in a statement.

How long Zielonka will actually stay incarcerated could vary based on several factors, including his behavior behind bars.

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