The man convicted of burning down a Wausau laundromat and flower shop in April 2019 causing more than $1 million in damage is scheduled to be sentenced Friday.
Azeez Hakeem, 33, of Wausau, pleaded guilty to his most serious counts of arson and burglary in August.
The fire destroyed Rainbow Laundry and Blossoms and Bows. Both businesses were located near 2nd Ave. S and Clark Street on Wausau’s west side.
Officers responded to the fire just after 3:30 a.m. on April 9. The owner of Rainbow Laundry advised officers that Hakeem was a person of interest in the fire.
A short time later an officer recognized Hakeem walking around the neighborhood near the laundromat. After some questioning, Hakeem admitted to the officer that he started the fire.