The Jefferson police department has secured a search warrant to check the cellular phone records of Andrew Schultz, brother of Pizza Ranch owner Rob Schultz, in connection with the investigation of arson at the Jefferson restaurant Jan. 26-27.
The search warrant was served on US Cellular May 19. According to the application for the search warrant, a message that was incriminating in nature and appeared to be in connection with the fire being intentionally set was sent from the phone which is the subject of the May search warrant. The phone belongs to Andrew Schultz.
The search warrant requests the location and phone call information from Andrew Schultz’s phone to determine if he was near the scene of the crime when it occurred.
Robert Duane Schultz, 53, of Ankeny was charged March 30 with arson-first degree, criminal mischief-first degree and insurance fraud. Court documents allege that another person set the fire that gutted the building. Andrew Schultz is the suspect.
Robert Schultz pleaded not guilty to the charges. A trial date has been set for Aug. 23.
