Man accused of trying to set home on fire with three people inside

A man is now charged with eight felonies and two misdemeanors after investigators said he tried to set a home on fire while three people were inside.

According to the probable cause statement, one of the victims called 911 and said that David Apetz Jr. tried to set her home in Jonesburg on fire.

The victim reportedly told authorities that, a few days before the incident happened, Apetz was told to not come back to the home. Court documents said Apetz showed up at the home at 6:30 a.m. Saturday. The victim said she looked out the window and saw Apetz piling boxes and other items from the yard up against the front door to trap people inside. She said she saw Apetz standing in the yard next to the porch with a lighter, a red gas can and a liquor bottle. After the victim told Apetz she was calling authorities, he allegedly fled the area in a black truck.

Court documents said officers detained Apetz around noon on Frick Street. While a deputy was taking Apetz to the Montgomery County Jail, Apetz allegedly tried to take his seat belt off. The deputy reached over to try and stop him, and Apetz leaned over the center console trapping the deputy’s hand, authorities said. The deputy then lost control of the patrol vehicle and almost crashed into a concrete barrier, but was able to regain control, according to the documents.

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