UPDATE | Demolition begins on burned Twin Peaks restaurant

Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017

ATLANTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- Demolition has begun today on Twin Peaks in the Augusta Exchange after the restaurant was gutted by a fire back in June.

La Cima Restaurants previously stated they have contracted with a demolition company.

Twin Peaks has been closed since a former employee reportedly ran his SUV into the restaurant and set the place on fire.

Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017

ATLANTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- Demolition is set to begin on Twin Peaks in the Augusta Exchange after the restaurant was gutted by a fire back in June.

La Cima Restaurants states they have contracted with a demolition company and expect demolition to begin on September 2.

Twin Peaks has been closed since a former employee reportedly ran his SUV into the restaurant and set the place on fire.

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

ATLANTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- Another spokesperson for the company that owns Twin Peaks in Augusta has confirmed the company will rebuild, but they have not been able to examine what, if any, of the original building, can be spared.

The spokesperson for La Cima Restaurants, LLC said that employees of the Augusta Twin Peaks restaurant are currently being utilized in their Atlanta and Columbia locations.

"It's important to keep good employees, and the company knows employees need their income," the spokesperson said.

Now, La Cima Restaurants is waiting for their insurance company to finish its work so the company can examine the old restaurant and make a decision whether any of it can be spared or if it will need to be demolished and rebuilt.

There is currently no timeline on when the restaurant will begin reconstruction.

The Twin Peaks fire was reportedly started by a former employee, Roland Evan Croyle. Croyle reportedly had run his Mitsubishi SUV into Twin Peaks, got out and lit the restaurant on fire.

Friday, June 30, 2017

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- Good news for patrons of Twin Peaks, a spokesperson for the company who owns the restaurant tells News 12 NBC 26 they do plan to rebuild the restaurant barring any unforeseen problem.

According to the spokesperson, the company is staying in contact with the fire department and the insurance adjusters have been on sit examining the damage and building remains.

At this point they don’t know what, if any, of the original building can be preserved or if will need to be demolished and a new building erected.

The spokesperson says they have 55 hourly employees and three managers at the Augusta location. It is intended that they will be rehired without having to reapply when the restaurant reopens.

There is currently no timeline on when the restaurant will begin reconstruction.

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

RICHMOND COUNTY, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- Bond has been denied for the suspected Twin Peaks arsonist, Roland Evan Croyle.

According to Judge Stephen E. Shepard, Cryole was deemed a "danger to the community."

Investigators said they believe Croyle was prepared to cause as much harm as he possibly could, after having just set fire to the building with numerous people inside.

According to the Sheriff's Office, Croyle was a former employee. Before deputies arrived, Croyle reportedly had ran his Mitsubishi SUV into Twin Peaks, got out and lit the restaurant on fire.

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

RICHMOND COUNTY, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- A slow Monday afternoon at Twin Peaks turns to absolute panic after investigators say an ex-employee, with a death wish, ran his Mitsubishi into Twin Peaks, got out and lit the restaurant on fire.

"The guy, Evan, got out of the car and started throwing propane tanks in and had wet towels or blankets that we think had kerosene on them," said Bartender Tyler DiLorenzo.

In a report investigators describe suspect Roland Evan Croyle as a man "prepared to cause as much harm as he could" after setting fire to a restaurant with several people inside.

"When he was throwing the propane tank in there, he just looked non-chalant," said DiLorenzo.

Deputies say with the help of a witness, with a license to carry, investigators were able to wrestle Croyle to the ground.

"I'm just glad there wasn't a lot of people in there and nobody got hurt," said DiLorenzo.

Report show Croyle thought his life would end as well Monday afternoon.

Investigators say Croyle told deputies "I was supposed to die."

Goodwill Job Connection tells News 12 NBC 26 they are offering job placement services to displaced workers.

Workers can visit 3179 Washington Road at Fury’s Ferry Road or call 706-447-5195 for help.

RICHMOND COUNTY, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- The smoke rolling over the trees and fire coming from the Twin Peaks roof Monday afternoon leads back to Rolland Evan Croyle, according to investigators.

Deputies say arson suspect, Roland Croyle, was on a mission to kill and die himself when he lit Twin Peaks on fire Monday afternoon.

"When he was doing it, throwing propane tanks in there and everything, he looked nonchalant," said Bartender Tyler DiLorenzo.

Workers say Croyle, a former Twin Peaks busboy, was making good on a promise.

"When he was fired a year ago, one of the girls said he said he would come back and blow the place up," said DiLorenzo.

DiLorenzo has been a bartender at Twin Peaks since the burnt doors first swung open.

She says Croyle and his ex-wife are both former employees.

"We all kind of thought he was a little off, a little weird but we never thought he would do something crazy like this, "said DiLorenzo.

Reports describe Croyle's desire to be shot in the chest twice and once in the head by deputies.

Investigators say Croyle told them "I was supposed to die."

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- A suspect arrested after reportedly crashing his SUV into Twin Peaks and setting the place on fire is facing multiple charges.

Roland Evan Croyle, 45, is facing one count of arson in the first degree and four counts of aggravated assault.

According to the incident report, responding deputies arrived at Twin Peaks on Robert C. Daniel Jr. Parkway on Monday around 12:45 p.m. in response to a person attempting to set the building on fire.

When investigators arrived, they saw smoke billowing from the front entrance of the restaurant. They noticed the suspect's vehicle had been used to ram the front entrance of the restaurant.

Investigators said they believe Croyle was prepared to cause as much harm as he possibly could, after having just set fire to the building with numerous people inside.

Croyle was reportedly standing behind his SUV shirtless wearing dark colored pants and boots. The report states when investigators ordered him to get on the ground, he refused. Another investigator managed to detain Croyle who was dragged away.

Investigators observed fuel on the ground around the SUV, which was apparently spilled from the containers he reportedly used.

Croyle was carrying a large knife from his belt loop with an 8-10 inch blade. He reportedly told investigators repeatedly that he "was supposed to die." He also indicated to investigators that he intended to be "shot twice in the chest and once in the head by the responding deputies."

Monday, June 26, 2017

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- The Richmond County Sheriff's Office has sent out an update to the person arrested earlier in the Twin Peaks arson.

After further investigation, investigators say the suspect's name is actually Roland Evan Croyle, 45.

We have updated our story below to reflect this change.

Meanwhile, Goodwill Industries is assisting those employees who were displaced after the fire through their Goodwill Job Connection. Twin Peaks workers needing help are asked to visit the Goodwill Job Connection, 3179 Washington Road at Fury’s Ferry Road or call (706) 447-5195.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- Richmond County Sheriff's Office investigators are treating the Twin Peaks fire as an arson.

According to the Sheriff's Office, the suspect, Roland Evan Croyle, was a possible former employee. When deputies arrived, they saw Croyle attempt to crash his vehicle into the building. When he exited the vehicle, he set the restaurant on fire.

A unnamed private citizen detained Croyle at gunpoint. Richmond County Deputies tackled the suspect eventually taking him into custody.

Witnesses to this incident are requested to contact RCSO’s Criminal Investigators at (706) 821-1020 or (706) 821-1000.

Investigators say Croyle will be charged with arson while more charges are pending.

This investigation is in the very early stages. A photo of Croyle was not immediately available.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- Multiple sources close to the investigation say that the Twin Peaks fire started from a person ramming a vehicle into the building then came inside and intentionally set the place on fire.

Investigators are still working to figure out what prompted the incident.

Richmond County Sheriff's Office will be asking for any witnesses who left Twin Peaks to contact them so they can get their accounts of the incident.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- The 'Twin Peaks' restaurant on Robert C. Daniel Jr. Parkway is currently on fire.

Augusta Fire Department and investigators are on scene. We're working to find out the extent of the fire and if anyone was inside the building at the time.

Roads are being diverted in the area near the restaurant. This is a developing story, we have a crew on the way. Stay tuned to News 12 NBC 26 for updates.