The Athens Police Department has issued nationwide arrest warrants for two men — whose names are listed as students in Ohio University’s online directory — who it believes set an arson fire at 68 Stewart St. late last month
Brian P. Manley, 19, of Clarence, N.Y., and Mark R. Norman, 20, of Worthington, Ohio, are facing charges of aggravated arson and burglary, first- and second-degree felonies, in connection to the recent Stewart Street fire Feb. 23., according to records filed with the Athens Municipal Court on Feb 27.
The fire took place between 1 and 2 a.m. that Sunday morning.
Manley and Norman are still at large as of Wednesday afternoon, officials said.
It could not be immediately confirmed if the two men are students.
The warrants allege that Norman and Manley kicked in a window at the house and, once inside, ignited a fire that cause extensive damage to the house and an attached apartment, 68 ½ Stewart St.
The damages are estimated to be in excess of $250,000, Michael Duchesne, a spokesman for the Ohio State Fire Marshal, said Wednesday. He added the agency is now calling the fire an arson, and the office is aware of the arrest warrants that have been issued. He could not provide further comment on the ongoing investigation.
In the weeks and months leading up to the blaze, there was a chaotic eviction that involved the tenants of 68 Stewart St. In addition, the landlord, Pam Hines, has been involved in a heated foreclosure battle with Century National Bank involving the property, according to a previous Post reporting. Local and state officials have not indicated any connection between those events and the fire.
“I can’t go into the investigative details but the fire appeared suspicious and our investigation leads us to believe these are the individuals involved,” Athens Police Chief Tom Pyle told The Post on Wednesday.
He added that APD has general knowledge of Manley and Norman’s whereabouts and there is a nationwide all-points bulletin, or directions regarding the apprehension of the wanted suspects, that has been distributed to other police agencies.
The morning of the fire, Manley was also cited for underage consumption of alcohol, a first-degree misdemeanor, and criminal trespassing, a fourth-degree misdemeanor.
He has been cited in Athens for underage consumption two other times, as well as once for littering and for telephone harassment. Norman has not previously been cited or arrested in Athens County, according to court records.
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