BRIEF: Macomb County man arraigned in 2011 building explosion in Warren

May 28--A Macomb County man is facing federal charges including arson and mail fraud in the explosion that leveled a Warren linen service and damaged dozens of surrounding buildings in 2011.

Alexandros Yfantidis, who according to online records lives in Clinton Township, pleaded not guilty to six charges when he was arraigned Tuesday in federal district court in Detroit. Magistrate Mona Majzoub set bail as a $10,000 unsecured bond.

Yfantidis is accused in the arson of Best Textile Services at 23780 Hoover on May 4, 2011, according to his grand jury indictment. The document says Yfantidis destroyed the building, which was south of Stephens and west of Groesbeck, for the insurance money. It was unclear how much money Yfantidis obtained in the alleged scheme.

Messages seeking comment were left for Yfantidis and his attorney, David Steingold.

Free Press stories at the time indicated that the blast was felt more than a mile away, moved a gas station off its foundation and injured two people driving nearby.

Contact Eric D. Lawrence: [email protected]

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