Arson Investigation Moves Forward

By Debbie Williams Reporter

New information into an arson investigation of a popular Gulf Shores restaurant. Arson Investigation Moves Forward

Published: Wed, March 12, 2008 - 5:46 pm

Debbie Williams

Four months after a popular Gulf Shores restaurant was torched by an arsonist, there seems to be some movement in the investigation.
For the second time, agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms have executed search warrants at the home and business of Tommy Lunceford and Judy Kelly. "They were looking for evidence of threats and intimidation and harassment of the ATF , the state fire marshal and other law enforcement officers," says Kelly.
It's all connected with the fire four months ago that burned down Nick's Restaurant. A property owned by Lunceford and Kelly. A restaurant operated by Nick Cascario.
"They shackled me and made me sit in a chair for three hours." Lunceford denies any involvement and says he feels more like a suspect than a victim. "It seems more like they were doing an vendetta yesterday then they were actually doing an investigation."
For the last two weeks what was left of the restaurant has been demolished, the lot cleared. Early on in the investigation arson was determined to be the cause of the fire. Since then, there has not been a whole lot of information about what's going on, until now.
"There haven't been any arrests made on it there are leads that the ATF is following and I believe there are some subpoenas that will be coming out for the grand jury," says Gulf Shores Fire Marshal Keith Martin.
In fact, at least two subpoenas have been issued. Lunceford and Kelly will appear before a federal grand jury later this month.
State Fire Marshal Ed Paulk says it would not be proper to comment on an ongoing investigation. A supervisor with ATF told News Five the investigation could wrap up within the next couple of months.