Dunbar man charged with giving false reports in arson probe
BULLSKIN TWP. – A Dunbar man charged with giving false information to Connellsville police in connection to an ongoing arson investigation waived the matter to the Fayette County Court. William R. Light, 26, of 10 Owl Hollow Road is charged with giving false reports to law enforcement authorities and obstructing administration of law in connection to the incident.
According to the affidavit filed by Connellsville Sgt. Ron Haggerty, Light contacted the local police department in August and informed investigators that another individual had told him that he had set fire to the Burn’s Drug Store and a home.
Prior to taking a polygraph test, police said Light recanted his statements and said that he provided the information as a way to be released from jail.
Light was scheduled to appear Tuesday before District Justice Robert Breakiron.
The city police department has partnered with the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to apprehend those targeting residences and businesses.
James Tanda, supervisory agent with the ATF, said that it is not unusual for people to provide inaccurate information during an investigation.
“It’s always more difficult to do our job in law enforcement when we are knowingly given false information during an investigation,” he said. “It makes the entire process more difficult, but unfortunately it is something that we’ve become accustomed to in this line of work.”
The city police department and the ATF are currently investigating 17 arson-related fires that have taken place over the past year.
The Burn’s Drug Store and an adjoining apartment building were destroyed in a Feb. 19 blaze that took firefighters nearly nine hours to extinguish.
“We’re continuing this investigation and are still optimistic that we will be able to solve the arsons,” said Tanda.
The ATF and Fayette County Crime Stoppers are offering rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those setting the fires. The ATF is offering a $5,000 reward while the county agency is offering up to $4,000 for information.
The ATF toll-free hotline is 888-ATF-FIRE (888-283-3473). The Crime Stoppers tip line is 724-437-TIPS (8477).
The city police can be reached at 724-628-2501, ext. 155. All information will be kept confidential.