Nov. 29--A man who told police he has an obsession with lighting and watching fires torched a neighbor's vacant, flood-damaged property earlier this month in the Mocanaqua section of Conyngham Township, state police say.
Shawn T. Wilcox, of 38 Main St., Mocanaqua, admitted lighting the blaze several doors down at 4 Main St. on Nov. 12, police said.
In an odd twist, police said Wilcox is the one who called 911 to report the blaze after other neighbors spotted smoke and flames coming from the three-unit apartment building.
The fire was one of five arsons to strike Mocanaqua and Shickshinny in the past two months. The others remain under investigation.
Wilcox, 36, is charged with arson, reckless burning, burglary, criminal mischief and theft. He was arraigned Tuesday night by on-duty Magisterial District Judge Rick Cronauer, who ordered him jailed in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility on $125,000 cash bail.
According to arrest papers, Wilcox was initially interviewed after the fire and denied any involvement. Police called Wilcox in for a follow-up interview at the Shickshinny state police barracks on Tuesday night.
Wilcox initially denied involvement again, but then admitted he stole a bicycle from inside the home after the fire, police say. As the interview continued, police say Wilcox admitted to setting the blaze.
Investigators say Wilcox acknowledged he entered the rear of the building about 2:15 p.m. and set fire to a bag that was inside. He then fled the building, which was vacant since the September 2011 flood. Once other neighbors discovered the fire, Wilcox said he called 911.
State police said Wilcox divulged he "liked lighting fires and watching fires." He acknowledged he "had urges all the time" to light fires and struggled "to fight the urges" every day.
No charges have been filed in connection with arson fires at another home on Main Street in Mocanaqua on Oct. 6, to a vehicle on Canal Street and at a home at 194 Susquehanna Ave. in Shickshinny on Nov. 13 and at a double-block home at 15-17 Railroad St. in Mocanaqua on Nov. 19.
A preliminary hearing for Wilcox was set for Dec. 5 at 9 a.m. in front of Magisterial District Judge John Hasay in Shickshinny.
570-821-2055, @cvbobkalFaces arson charges
Copyright 2012 - The Citizens' Voice, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
