Jonathan Young

Setting off a dozen fires in the area led accused arsonist and local performer Jonathan H. Young on a 100-mile trek southward, with two stolen vehicles to boot.

Young, 19, who’s linked to 12 separate arsons in Jamestown and Falconer between March 2 and March 25, was apprehended March 28 in Slippery Rock, Pa., minutes after allegedly setting a vacant home ablaze.

Court documents from both Warren and Butler counties in Pennsylvania provide a clearer picture of Young’s journey south, which began by Young simply walking out of New York state via Route 62 sometime after March 25.

A criminal complaint filed by Pennsylvania State Police, which includes a sworn statement from Young, indicates the teen entered the garage of a Pine Grove Township resident in Warren County, Pa., the night of March 26 and the early morning of March 27. Young allegedly entered through an unlocked door into the residence, stole a set of car keys and drove off with the resident’s 2017 Toyota Corolla.

Young alleges in the statement he drove to Oil City, Pa. — more than 50 miles southward — before ditching the car around 6 a.m. on March 27 because he didn’t want to be in a “hot car” after it had been reported stolen. The car was later recovered by the victim, police said.

Butler County Court documents indicate Young allegedly stole another vehicle, although further details about the theft could not be obtained. Calls placed to the Butler County district attorney were not answered Tuesday.

Young faces charges of burglary and motor vehicle theft, both felonies, as well as loitering and prowling at night, out of Warren County, Pa.

In Butler County, Pa., Young faces two counts of first-degree arson, second-degree arson, two counts of third-degree arson, along with misdemeanors of motor vehicle theft and possessing an instrument of crime with intent. He’s also charged with a violation for dangerous burning.

Young is scheduled for a formal arraignment in Butler County Court on May 16 at 1 p.m. before Judge Timothy F. McCune. He is currently being held at the Butler County Prison in lieu of $75,000 bail.

On April 5, Young appeared at his preliminary hearing at Butler County Court, during which time, a Pennsylvania State Trooper told the court Young “confessed” to setting the fire in Butler County.

In Chautauqua County, Young faces two counts of second-degree arson, a class B felony; nine counts of third-degree arson, a class C felony; and one count of fifth-degree arson, a class A misdemeanor. All charges will be handled via arrest warrants through the Jamestown City Court and the Ellicott Town Court.

Young’s local targets included an occupied apartment at 621 E. Sixth St. on March 2; a vacant apartment at the same location later that same day; an abandoned home at 2840 Woodlawn Ave. on March 6; an abandoned garage at the same location on March 12; a condemned home at 441 Winsor St. on March 22; an occupied building at 29 to 39 W. Main St. in Falconer on March 22; a condemned apartment at 621 E. Sixth St. on March 23; a condemned home at 650 E. Sixth St. on March 24; a condemned home at 220 Crossman St. on March 25; a debris pile near a home at 30 W. 11th St. on March 25; a condemned home at 22 W. 11th St.; and a condemned home at 33 W. 10th St. on March 25.

Jamestown police said Young reportedly acted alone. A motive has not been disclosed.

According to Patrick Swanson, Chautauqua County district attorney, Young could face a potential 5 to 25 years in prison for each of his second-degree arson charges. The additional charges would collectively add a “substantial” amount of jail time, he said.

Young is expected to answer charges in Chautauqua County Court after proceedings in Pennsylvania are complete