Christopher James Colts faces arson, fraud and theft charges in connection with fires and reported thefts in Bradford during the overnight hours of October 3–4. The charges include allegations that a fire endangered people and nearby structures. The Bradford police announcement, published by Solomon’s Words for the Wise, says a neighboring resident was asleep when the fire occurred.
Charges include several alleged fire-related offenses
The criminal complaint, as described in the police announcement, alleges that a shed at Moonan’s Car Wash, 223 North Onofrio Street, was deliberately set on fire. City police and firefighters responded shortly after 2:13 a.m. on October 4. The complaint also alleges damage to other property. Pennsylvania’s arson and catastrophe provisions are in Chapter 33 of Title 18.
The filed counts include arson involving danger of death or bodily injury; arson for recklessly placing another person in danger; arson for recklessly placing an inhabited building or occupied structure at risk; and arson for recklessly placing property at risk. Colts also faces charges of risking catastrophe and recklessly endangering another person, according to the police announcement.
Other charges are access device fraud, identity theft and theft by unlawful taking. Pennsylvania law addresses those offenses in Section 4106, Section 4120 and Section 3921, respectively.
Police describe evidence tied to multiple locations
The police announcement says investigators examined surveillance video, interviewed people, reviewed physical evidence and reconstructed Colts’ alleged movements. According to its account of the affidavit of probable cause, video showed an individual near the car wash shortly before the fire. Investigators also allege that vehicles were entered and property taken, and that stolen credit and debit cards were used or attempts were made to use them at businesses and financial institutions. Police say those findings contributed to identifying Colts as the alleged person involved.
The investigation also involved the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Sports Complex, where police say there was damage near the softball field and a riding lawn tractor was lost in the incidents. The Bradford Era reported the tractor’s loss. University police participated in the investigation and co-signed the charges with Bradford city police, according to the police announcement.
Colts is jailed as investigation continues
Police Chief Michael P. Ward said the alleged fire-setting near occupied homes could have had severe consequences. Colts was homeless at the time of the incidents, according to the police announcement. Magistrate David Engman arraigned him and ordered him held at McKean County Jail on $1 million bail; preliminary hearings are scheduled, according to the City of Bradford Police Department arrest record.
Bradford police are reviewing other fires and suspicious incidents from the same general period but have not determined that Colts was involved in those cases. Additional charges could be filed if supported by the investigation. The Pennsylvania State Police Fire Investigation Unit and Bradford Township Police Department assisted; the City of Bradford and Bradford Township fire departments also responded or helped with fire suppression, the police announcement says. Colts is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
