Newton County Prosecutor's office charges suspect in series of arson fires, thefts

The Newton County Sheriff's Office arrested Engman following a fire at a home near the Wanda Methodist Church.

According to the probable cause statement, Engman was driving a vehicle matching the description of one that had been seen at a Newtonia address.

I have received information recently that the female who lives there was involved in other thefts of wire and arsons in the Newtonia area.

The following news release was issued this morning by the Newton County Sheriff's Office:

On October 29, 2025, at approximately 12:09PM, the Newton County Central Dispatch Center received a call of a structure fire at 17723 Highway O in Newton County. 

Deputies along with the Midway Fire Department, Stella Fire Department, and Granby Fire Department responded to the scene. While enroute to the scene, Deputies received information of a suspicious vehicle that was seen leaving from the area shortly after the fire had been noticed. The vehicle was described as an orange PT Cruiser. 

After the fire was extinguished, it was determined that the house was abandoned and that there had been electrical wiring removed from the house in the area where the fire had started.

While in the area, a Detective with the Newton County Sheriff’s Office located a vehicle that matched the description of the suspicious vehicle that was seen leaving the area. The Detective was able to make a traffic stop on the vehicle. 

As a result of the investigation into this suspicious fire, Cheyenne Engman, a 28 year old female from Shell Knob, was arrested and transported to the Newton County Jail. Charges for Arson and Theft have been forwarded to the Newton County Prosecutor. At this time, it does not appear that this structure fire is related to the structure fire at 28252 Highway HH.

The Newton County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to follow up on leads with this fire, and we are asking for the public’s assistance. If anyone has any information about the fire, we ask that you contact Detective Dale Brashers with the Newton County Sheriff’s Office or you can contact the State Fire Marshall’s Office Arson Tip Line at 1-800-39-ARSON.