Sandwich shop owner jailed on arson charge

The owner of the popular Strip Sandwich Shop was arrested Wednesday on an arson charge a month after a fire tore through the downtown business.

Hans Aareskjold, 43, was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on one count of first-degree arson.

Clark County District Attorney David Roger said his office worked closely with Las Vegas fire investigators to develop the case. While details of the case were not made public, Roger said Aareskjold had received an eviction notice shortly before the fire.

Aareskjold has had previous run-ins with the law. In November, he pleaded guilty to a felony burglary charge for stealing small items from a Home Depot store. In December, he pleaded guilty to felony burglary for the theft of items from a Wal-Mart, court records show.

Firefighters were called to 505 Bonneville Ave., near Las Vegas Boulevard South, about 2:15 a.m. Feb. 9 after a Las Vegas police officer noticed smoke.

Fire officials said the blaze caused about $200,000 in damage to four businesses, including the sandwich shop, Bingo Bail Bonds, Rescue Bail Bonds and the law office of Eichhorn & Hoo.

The roof of the 3,300-square-foot building caved in, but officials said most of the contents of the building were salvageable.

The Strip Sandwich Shop was known as a lunchtime hangout for lawyers and a popular caterer at downtown law firms and courthouses.

Review-Journal Jeff German contributed to this report. Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.