Affidavit: Suspect in topless coffee fire was mad at girlfriend having affair with owner

Maine topless coffee fire suspect mad at waitress

AUGUSTA, Maine — A state investigation says a man suspected of burning down a Maine coffee shop that featured topless waitresses was mad at his girlfriend, who was having an affair with the owner.

The state fire marshal’s office released an affidavit Friday alleging 48-year-old Raymond Bellavance Jr. used gasoline to start the fire in June 2009 because the woman, a waitress, was in a sexual relationship with Donald Crabtree, owner of the Grand View Topless Coffee Shop.

The affidavit says before the fire, Bellavance made statements that he was going to burn the shop. He confronted his girlfriend two hours beforehand.

Bellavance, who is charged with arson, made his first appearance in district court by video Friday. His bail was continued at $200,000. His next court appearance is July 27.