The man accused of setting a house fire in Pottsville last month using Molotov cocktails is now facing a pair of attempted murder charges for his alleged actions during his arrest in New Jersey.
Tyre Dunn, 36, was arrested on Jan. 27 in Lodi, NJ, after a warrant for his arrest was issued by Magisterial District Judge James Reiley in Pottsville following the fire on N. 2nd St. in the city.
According to a federal court document, authorities tracked Dunn’s position to Bronx, NY, using license plate readers and his cell phone location data.
Dunn was then tracked to Lodi, where police saw him appear from a home and get into a rented vehicle he used while allegedly setting the fire in Pottsville. That vehicle was registered to his wife, according to court filings.
In Lodi, according to information released by Bergen County prosecutor Mark Musella, the Bergen County Regional SWAT team and agents from the FBI executed the arrest warrant on Dunn. While attempting to apprehend him, Dunn fled and armed himself with a pickaxe.
According to information previously released by police in Pottsville, while fleeing authorities, Dunn allegedly hit an FBI agent with his vehicle, pinning him between the door and his vehicle.
Dunn then barricaded himself, armed with the pickaxe, in a shed. With members of the local SWAT team in place, Dunn was ordered to come out of the shed. He did, swinging the pickaxe at “multiple law enforcement personnel.” An FBI agent was struck in their bulletproof vest by the pickaxe but it failed to penetrate the material.
Dunn was then taken into custody by the FBI and transported back to Pottsville and taken to Schuylkill County Prison, where he remains.
Musella is charging Dunn with two counts of first-degree attempted murder, first-degree armed burglary, two counts of second-degree aggravated assault, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, third-degree resisting arrest, and fourth-degree obstructing the administration of law. Dunn was served those charges while in Schuylkill County Prison.
The New Jersey prosecutor says Dunn will face charges there following the outcome of charges locally.
In connection to the Pottsville fire, Dunn is facing a first-degree felony count of aggravated arson, two counts of arson, causing a catastrophe, and two counts of aggravated assault. Numerous other charges, from felonies to summary offenses, have also been thrown at Dunn related to the fire.
According to police in Pottsville, Dunn’s son was reportedly in the residence at 678 N. 2nd St. when he threw a pair of Molotov cocktails at it. One of the devices hit a wire and fell on the street while the other landed near the front door. Dunn’s son jumped from a second-story window of the building to escape the flames, breaking bones and suffering burn injuries. A cat was also severely burned in the fire. A vacant property in that duplex was also destroyed in the blaze.
Dunn reportedly started the fire after accusing his son and another man of stealing money from him, according to police who reviewed text messages between Dunn and his son.
Dunn is also facing charges after allegedly beating a man inside the Saint Clair Walmart back in November 2024. During that incident, the man Dunn jumped in an aisle in the store fired off a warning shot that caused him to flee the fracas.
A preliminary hearing on the Walmart incident is currently scheduled for Feb. 18 before District Magistrate David Plachko. The preliminary hearing related to the Pottsville arson case is scheduled for Feb. 24 before Reiley.
NOTE: Tyre Dunn is also referred to as Tyrie Dunn in both our and police reporting.
FULL COVERAGE:
- Police: Molotov Cocktail Started Pottsville House Fire, City Man Wanted
- Man Accused of Starting Pottsville Fire with Molotov Cocktail Arrested in New Jersey
- Fire Severely Damages Two Homes in Pottsville, Four Displaced
- Charges Filed in Connection with Saint Clair Walmart Shooting Incident
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