Man accused of bomb threat to former girlfriend's workplace, arsons

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Poplar Bluff man admitted to calling in a bomb threat Tuesday at the Eagles Lodge, where his ex-girlfriend works, as well as setting fires at two local homes the day before.

"Yesterday morning, we got a call from someone associated with the Eagles, saying he may have information on the two house fires," which occurred Monday, said Poplar Bluff police detective Scott Phelps.

Before the man could call back, a bomb threat was called in to the Eagles Lodge on Ditch Road just before noon.

A male caller reportedly claimed to have placed explosive devices inside the building and threatened to detonate them.

Officers responded, evacuating the building and securing the parking lot, said police detective Josh Stewart.

Police Sgt. Darron Moore and his dog, Loco, who are members of the Southeast Missouri Regional Bomb Team, also searched the building, Stewart said. No device was found.

While on the scene, Phelps said, he identified the former girlfriend and began speaking with her about Wade "Louis" Stoutt.

Phelps said a home in the 1500 block of South 10th Street is where the woman and Stoutt formerly lived together. A fire was reported at the house at 10:49 a.m. Monday and was fully involved when the Poplar Bluff Fire Department responded.

Firefighters also responded about 15 minutes later Monday to a structure fire in the 900 block of Peach Street.

Preliminary scene examinations suggested both fires had been set intentionally.

"She said the house on Peach Street is a friend of hers from the Eagles who (Stoutt) believed to be her new boyfriend," Phelps said. "They were not boyfriend and girlfriend, but he did give her rides home because she didn't have a vehicle."

Phelps said the woman's statement "established a connection" between the bomb threat and fires.

After Stoutt, 50, of the 1900 block of Alice Street, was arrested at 1:38 p.m., he was taken to the police station, where he was told of his rights and interviewed.

"He admitted it all. ... It was over the breakup and what he perceived as a new boyfriend," Phelps said.

Stoutt was booked at the Butler County Jail on suspicion of two counts of second-degree arson, making a terroristic threat and aggravated stalking.

Pertinent address:

Poplar Bluff, Mo.