Pittsburgh police are looking for 22-year-old Jacob Aaron Cooper after investigators say someone set a fire inside his Wood Street apartment early Monday, just one day before a scheduled eviction hearing. Fire crews reported finding a couch in flames, along with a pair of tennis shoes and a bicycle wheel damaged by smoke and heat. No injuries were reported, and authorities say the blaze is being treated as intentional, with an arrest warrant for Cooper already in hand as the investigation rolls on.
According to WTAE, surveillance video reviewed by investigators shows Cooper leaving the apartment and walking down the hallway, followed by separate footage of the unit’s door standing open with smoke pouring out at about 4:12 a.m. Emergency responders were called after the fire was reported around 4:41 a.m., and investigators say burn patterns at the scene suggest the couch was lit with a lighter or match. Pittsburgh police say they have charged Cooper with multiple counts, including aggravated arson and causing or risking catastrophe, per the station.
Charges and Possible Penalties
Police allege Cooper faces aggravated arson, three counts of felony arson, causing or risking catastrophe, criminal mischief and recklessly endangering another person. Under Pennsylvania law, aggravated arson is treated as a serious felony that can bring enhanced prison terms, and state statutes flag fires that endanger people or occupied structures as especially severe crimes. For statutory definitions and sentencing ranges, see Pennsylvania's criminal code.
Eviction Timeline and Manager's Account
An apartment operations manager told WTAE that Cooper was served a 30-day eviction notice last month after causing damage to the unit, and that a hearing had been set for Tuesday. Police have asked residents to check any doorbell or hallway cameras and to share footage or sightings that might help the case. No arrests have been announced as authorities continue to collect evidence.
Local Pattern
City records show eviction-linked fires are not entirely unheard of. The Pittsburgh Public Safety Blotter detailed a November 2025 case in Garfield where investigators said a resident started a fire after being served an eviction notice. That incident also led to aggravated arson allegations and underscores why fire investigators lean heavily on burn patterns and surveillance footage in similar situations, since prosecutors often treat deliberate structure fires as top-tier felonies.
The investigation remains active, and police say they will update the public as new details emerge. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police or submit tips through the department's official channels.
