An Ithaca man is facing a felony charge after allegedly trying to start a fire inside a downtown apartment building early Saturday morning.
According to the Ithaca Police Department, officers responded around 1:27 a.m. to a building in the 100 block of East Green Street for a reported criminal mischief incident. Police say 46-year-old Roy Roberts attempted to start a fire in the stairwell of the building and then tried to pull the fire alarm lever, but was stopped before triggering the system.
Following an investigation, Roberts was charged with arson in the second degree, a Class B felony. He was later arraigned by Judge Wallace and remanded to the Tompkins County Jail.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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