Dublin Man Faces Expanded Arson and Vandalism Charges Across Multiple Ohio Counties After Task Force Investigation

Dublin man Affan Taj faces $750,000 bond following arson and vandalism charges in Union and Franklin counties. Digital evidence linked him to multiple fires.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 21, 2026, 5:31 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from WSYX ABC 6

Serial Arson Investigation Leads to High Cash Bond

A multi-jurisdiction investigation into a series of suspicious fires has resulted in significant legal action against a resident of Dublin, Ohio. Affan Taj appeared before a judge this week to face new allegations of arson and vandalism originating from Union County, where his bond was set at $750,000. This court appearance follows his initial arrest earlier this month, which focused on similar criminal activity within Franklin County. According to Pleasant Valley Joint Fire District Chief Bryan J. Adams, the coordination between local fire investigators and police was essential in identifying the patterns that linked these geographically separate incidents.

Technological Surveillance Pinpoints Suspect Movements

The breakthrough in the case came through a combination of modern surveillance tools and digital footprints that placed the suspect at the scene of several fires. Law enforcement officials utilized Flock license plate readers to track a black Honda sedan that witnesses reported seeing near a housing development fire in Dublin. Charging documents indicate that cell phone data further corroborated these movements, providing a timeline that matched the ignition of fires in both Franklin and Union counties. According to investigative reports, these digital markers allowed authorities to narrow their focus to the 20 year old suspect and his associates.

Detailed Evidence of Residential Targeting

The scope of the alleged crimes involves specific residential blocks, including properties on Dunmore Court and Lennon Lane, where new construction homes were primarily targeted. In one instance, a porch was set ablaze while an adjacent property was defaced with political graffiti, adding a layer of vandalism to the arson charges. Prosecutors revealed that during the search of the suspect's electronic devices, they discovered recorded video evidence of the fires being started. According to police statements, these videos were found directly on the suspect’s phone, providing a rare level of direct visual evidence for the prosecution.