BARTON, N.Y. (WENY) -- On the morning of March 25, 2025, New York State Police at Owego arrested 50-year-old Jeremy W. Searles of Waverly, NY, on charges of Attempted Arson in the second degree, a class C felony, and Criminal Mischief in the fourth degree, a misdemeanor. The arrest followed an incident that occurred the previous day in the Town of Barton.

According to New York State Police, Troopers were dispatched by the Tioga County 911 Center to a residence on Ellis Creek Road in response to a reported disturbance and a brush fire on Monday the 24th. Upon arrival, Troopers observed multiple areas on the property where brush had recently been burned. Troopers said an investigation revealed that Searles had been involved in a dispute with three other individuals and had intentionally set fire to brush in an attempt to burn an occupied trailer. The fire was extinguished by the other individuals involved in the altercation.

When Troopers attempted to interview Searles, they said they heard him in a wooded area near the property and believed he was experiencing a mental health crisis. Searles fled the scene, but after several hours, law enforcement located him outside the residence on March 25th and took him into custody.

Following his arrest, Searles was transported to Wilson Medical Center for evaluation. After being released from the hospital, he was processed and subsequently remanded to the Tioga Correctional Facility. Bail was set at $25,000 cash or $50,000 bond.