Man accused of intentionally setting car on fire in McKeesport facing charges
MCKEESPORT, Pa. —
A man is facing charges after he allegedly set his own vehicle on fire, saying he “didn’t care about it” in Allegheny County on Friday.
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According to a criminal complaint, officials were called to the 2000 block of Highland Avenue in response to a report of a vehicle fire. The incident was reported around 11 p.m.
Arriving officers said they then saw a tan Chevy Cavalier fully engulfed in flames.
A bystander told officers that a man set the car on fire and walked back into a residence across the street.
Police arrived at the residence as the man exited. The man was placed into custody without incident and taken to a marked patrol car, the complaint said.
The individual was identified as 36-year-old Tom Lockhart.
Lockhart told police he had no involvement with the fire and was asleep when the incident occurred.
The complaint said Lockhart appeared to be intoxicated. He later told police that he was at two bars prior to the fire.
While on the scene, a witness said she had seen Lockhart outside by his vehicle moments before it burst into flames. The woman said Lockhart told her he “did not care about the vehicle.”
Police were later granted permission by another resident to review camera footage from that resident’s property.
Video depicted a man entering the vehicle through the passenger-side door, walking away, and doing so numerous times before flames erupted inside. The man was then seen walking into the woods as the fire continued.
Officers said the man was seen wearing the same clothes as Lockhart.
Lockhart faces a charge of arson and a citation for public drunkenness.
According to additional court documents, Lockhart’s bail was denied, as “the defendant poses a threat to the community.”
He is now being held at the Allegheny County Jail.
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