A Waverly man is facing charges after he allegedly tried to set a trailer on fire.
According to the New York State Police, 50-year-old Jeremy W. Searles has been charged with felony attempted arson in the second degree and misdemeanor criminal mischief in the fourth degree.
State troopers responded to a report of a disturbance and a brush fire at a residence on Ellis Creek Road in Barton on Monday morning. When they arrived, they observed several areas on the property where brush had been recently burnt.
An investigation determined that there had been a dispute involving Searles and three other people when Searles allegedly intentionally ignited brush in an attempt to burn an occupied trailer. The fire was put out by the other people that were involved in the dispute.
When Troopers attempted to interview Searles, they could hear him from a wooded area near the property and believed that he was suffering from a mental health crisis. Searles fled the area but Troopers ultimately located the suspect several hours later and he was taken into custody. He was transported to Wilson Medical Center to be evaluated.
After his release from the hospital, Searles was processed and remanded to the Tioga Correctional Facility on $25,000 cash bail.
