Ithaca Police arrested a man on Tuesday in connection with two arson investigations in the city.
According to police, at approximately 12:10p, officers attempted to arrest Steven Swavely in the 100 block of East Green Street for the recent arsons that occurred in the city. The fires took place on May 31 at around 12:52p and on June 1 at approximately 5:30p at the Asteri Apartment Building in the 100 block of East Green St.
Swavely is also accused of resisting officers during the arrest. During the incident, a bystander released Swavely’s dog; the dog went on to attack several people, including officers, civilians, and Swavely, resulting in multiple people sustaining injuries, police said.
Police were able to take Swavely into custody while another bystander was able to control the dog. Both Swavely and an officer were assessed at the scene for injuries.
Swavely was charged with two felony counts of Arson and a misdemeanor count of Resisting Arrest. He was arraigned and sent to the Tompkins County Jail. The dog was turned over to the SPCA.
The Ithaca Police Department was assisted in its investigations by the Ithaca Fire Department. Anyone with information related to the fires is asked to contact the police at:
Police Dispatch: 607-272-3245
Police Administration: 607-272-9973
Police Tipline: 607-330-0000
Anonymous Email Tip Address: www.cityofithaca.org/ipdtips
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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