A Morgantown man is in custody after allegedly starting multiple fires on the evening of Aug. 8 in downtown Morgantown in the area below the Pleasant Street and Walnut Street bridges.
While on foot patrol in the Elk Street area at around 10:15 p.m., several Morgantown police officers noticed a fire on the hillside above the rail-trail, according to a criminal complaint.
The officers quickly checked the area to make sure no one was hurt due to the fire and called the Morgantown Fire Department due to the amount of foliage burning.
Witnesses near the area of the fire told police they saw an individual they knew as “Shaggy” running from the area and yelling, “Fire in the hole.”
Later in the evening, police responded to another fire in the same area with the same male suspect seen.
Police were later able to identify “Shaggy” as Dylan Anthony Brown, 26, according to court records.
Brown was located and questioned later that evening near the farmers market pavilion on Spruce Street. While questioning him, officers noticed black soot on his chest, hand, wrist and face.
Officers stated they also observed briars and other foliage on Brown, which indicated he had been running through the woods.
A mattress and a tent were found burnt after the fire was extinguished.
Brown is charged with willingly, unlawfully and maliciously setting fire on lands, which is a felony.
If convicted, Brown could be sentenced to the penitentiary for a minimum of one year but no more than five, a fine of $5,000 or imprisonment and a fine.
He is currently being held at North Central Regional Jail with a $15,000 bond.
TWEET @DominionPostWV
