A St. Clair County man has been charged with arson and home invasion for allegedly setting an ex-partner’s home ablaze last Thursday, September 7.
Around 3:00 a.m. on September 7, Macomb County emergency services were dispatched to a Richmond Township home reportedly on fire, arriving at the scene to find the attached garage fully engulfed in flames and heavy smoke. Macomb County Deputies confirmed the residents, including 2 adults and 3 children, had been evacuated safely from the home, though the family’s pet cat unfortunately did not survive.
The homeowner alerted deputies that he had heard a loud noise, and upon investigating, he discovered the fire in the garage. Deputies were given information regarding an alleged male suspect, around 30-years-old, from Richmond, MI. The male resident stated he observed and identified the suspect leaving his front yard and entering his vehicle, which was parked on the road adjacent to the property.
With address in hand, Deputies responded to the suspect’s home and were able to take him into custody without incident. The next day, September 8, 31- year-old Zachary Mitchell Zielonka of Riley Township, was arraigned on charges of Second Degree Arson and Home Invasion – 1st Degree for the Richmond Township arson. Both felony charges carry up to 20 years in prison if convicted, plus fines.
Zielonka was arraigned by Judge Jennifer Andary in the 42nd District Court at Romeo, and given a $500,000 cash-surety bond and GPS tether upon release. The defendant remains housed in the Macomb County Jail at this time.
Though it’s not been confirmed if any of the children in the home were his, Zielonka has been in the midst of a custody battle since February of this year, with the custody trial scheduled for next month on October 25. No word if or how the criminal proceedings may affect that upcoming trial.
