A Presque Isle man has been charged with arson in connection with trash can and grass fires reported Thursday night near a gas station-store in Litchfield, authorities said.

Authorities received a report Thursday about 11:45 p.m. of two trash can fires near gas pumps at Gowell’s Shop n’ Save on Richmond Road in Litchfield. Officials from the Office of State Fire Marshal responded and determined that the two trash cans and some nearby grass had been set on fire.

Robert Bowring, 39, was taken into custody at the scene without incident and charged with three counts of arson, according to a news release Friday from the Department of Public Safety.

The Litchfield Fire Department responded to the scene and fire marshal investigators were assisted during the investigation by Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office, the Maine Forest Service, and the Attorney General’s office.

Bowring was taken to the Kennebec County jail in Augusta.

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