The man wanted for starting a house fire in Pottsville with a Molotov cocktail earlier this month was arrested Monday in New Jersey. During his apprehension, Tyrie Dunn allegedly struck an FBI officer with his vehicle door and then struck an officer with a pick ax.
According to information released by Pottsville Bureau of Police on Tuesday morning, Dunn was tracked to Lodi, New Jersey, by members of their department, the Schuylkill County District Attorney’s Office, Pennsylvania State Police, the FBI, and ATF.
Dunn’s vehicle was spotted at the intersection of Pasadena and Christopher streets in Lodi. Officers set up surveillance on the vehicle and then at about 1:15 p.m., Dunn emerged from a home on Pasadena St. and got in the driver’s seat.
Dunn began fleeing the scene, police say, and in the commission of that act, crashed into an FBI vehicle. The door of that vehicle hit an FBI agent and pinned him between the door and its opening.
The suspect then fled on Pasadena St. and crashed into a fence. Dunn then fled on foot. He was then located in a storage shed at Stokes St. and Charlton Ave. shortly thereafter. When officers caught up to him, police say Dunn began swinging a pick ax at them, striking an agent in the back. No serious injuries were reported.
Dunn was brought back to Pennsylvania and arraigned on his original charges connected with the arson in Pottsville by District Magistrate AJ Serina. Serina set bail at $500,000 cash and remanded him to Schuylkill County Prison.
Federal charges are now pending against Dunn, police say.
Dunn is accused of starting a Jan. 17 fire on N. 2nd St. in Pottsville after throwing a Molotov cocktail at a home. At the time, Dunn’s son was inside. Dunn’s son fled the building by reportedly jumping from a second story window, breaking bones and suffering burn injuries.
Two homes were severely damaged in the blaze. Arson and other related charges were filed against Dunn.
RELATED:
Police: Molotov Cocktail Started Pottsville House Fire, City Man Wanted
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