IRMO,SC (WACH)- Irmo Police Department charged an Irmo man in connection with an arson that occurred in the early morning hours of Sunday August 5, 2012.  Julian Zander Maxim, 17, of River Song Road has been charged with Underage Possession of Alcohol and Arson Third Degree.

Irmo Police accuse Maxim of entering a locked, fenced area behind the Irmo Station Shopping center and starting a fire in some equipment contained in the fenced area that belonged to one of the tenets of the shopping center.  Officers were sent to the fire with firefighters from the Irmo Fire District.  Senior Patrolman Riley Null noticed Maxim standing in the vicinity of the fire.  When Null approached Maxim, he noticed that Maxim appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and discovered a bottle of vodka in one pocket and a butane lighter in the other pocket.

Damage to the equipment is estimated to be $2,500.  Underage possession of Alcohol is a misdemeanor punishable by not more than 30 days in jail and/or a fine.  Arson in the Third Degree is a felony punishable by not more than 15 years in prison.