http://www.jsonline.com/watch/index.asp ... =9/14/2006

THURSDAY, Sept. 14, 2006, 1:48 p.m.
By Sarah Larimer

Suspect left birth certificate at scene
A birth certificate left at the scene of a Sept. 10 fire led Waukesha police and fire investigators to arrest a 19-year-old Waukesha man Wednesday for his involvement in two fires, including the May 29 blaze at the historic Nelson House, police said today.

"You would think somebody wouldn't do that," Waukesha Fire Marshal Brian Charlesworth said. "But, fortunately for us, they did."

Charlesworth said officials from both the police and fire departments connected similar characteristics from the Sept. 10 incident to the Nelson House fire after finding the man's birth certificate.

The man told investigators he was in the country illegally and immigration officials have been contacted, Lt. William Graham said.

"They will be in the picture shortly, if they're not already," Graham said.

The city bought the nearly 100-year-old Nelson House, at 520 N. Grand Ave., in 1967. It once served as a home for the mentally ill and is now listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

City officials sold the house in 2005 for $35,000 to Jennifer Wall and Vic Markulis. The couple beat out three other bidders for the property and planned to restore the home.