By GINNY COOPER/Staff Writer

CALERA—Joshua Allen Garzarek, 30, was convicted of the Class A misdemeanor offense of arson in the third degree after pleading guilty to the offense, according to documents filed by the court on May 7.

Garzarek, of Calera, was arrested following a May 9, 2011 incident where he allegedly attempted to burn down the abandoned Ed’s Pet World building on Hwy 25.

Calera Chief Sean Lemley said Calera police found Garzarek fleeing the scene with gas on his clothes.

“After a thorough investigation, we found sufficient information to obtain a warrant,” Lemley said. “This was the only facility he attempted to burn.”

The building was abandoned at the time Garzarek allegedly attempted to burn the building down, Lemley said.

Garzarek was sentenced to 12 months in the Shelby County Jail, and must also obey all laws and ordinances and pay an “amount of restitution, if any, to be determined on Motion of the State,” according to court documents.