Weissport man charged in East Penn arson

A Weissport man has been charged with intentionally setting a fire over a week ago in East Penn Township.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by Trooper Gary Fedor of the Pennsylvania State Police, Troop N, Lehighton in the case against Daniel Crum:

At 1:49 p.m. Jan. 28, Fedor was dispatched to the fire at a home on West Sunset Road, East Penn Township.

Fedor said local fire companies were already on scene, along with EMS personnel. Heavy smoke and flames were coming from inside of the two-story stone residence. A blue Suzuki was parked about 50-60 yards east of the dwelling fire with the hood up and a man, later identified as Crum, leaning on the vehicle.

The driver’s side door of the vehicle was open, but the vehicle’s battery was dead. Police learned the owner of the vehicle did not give Crum permission to use her vehicle the day of this incident.

Fedor said Crum, 49, had a suspended driver’s license.

Crum said that he was visiting a friend up the road, and that his vehicle died on the road in front of the dwelling.

Fedor saw suspected marijuana in bags between the front seats of the car and a metal smoking device on the center console.

Crum said he could search his vehicle, and police found the drugs. Located in the rear of the vehicle was a red Marlboro duffel bag with various older Knickknack items, along with blank PNC bank checks belonging to a woman.

It was later learned that the woman was the last known occupant of the dwelling that was on fire.

Crum was taken into custody and transported to PSP-Lehighton for further questioning and processing. He said that he was friends with the woman, and that she probably did not know he had her checkbooks.

Crum’s vehicle was towed to PSP-Lehighton and a PSP fire marshal trooper was requested.

Trooper Jamison Sgarlat responded to the scene and determined that the fire was intentionally set in multiple locations inside the residence. A K-9 was used and indicated on multiple locations in the residence for an accelerant.

A red square gas container with suspected gasoline mixture was located on scene near the front door of the residence.

Based on the interviews, it was determined that Crum did not have any associates that lived on West Sunset Road. Police said his vehicle was seen parked directly in front of the residence about 30 minutes before the fire was started.

Crum was not observed in his vehicle or anywhere around the vehicle at this time. Police said Crum was later seen trying to push his car away from the dwelling fire when witnesses first observed smoke coming from inside of the residence.

On Jan. 29, Crum was admitted to St. Luke’s-Bartonsville for a voluntary mental health commitment. Fedor said Crum told him he was in the residence before it caught fire to steal copper. Crum said there was no one else inside of the residence.

A search warrant was obtained for Crum’s vehicle, and police discovered a half-empty container of Tiki fuel.

Police contacted the woman who owns the dufflebag and checks. She said she does not know Crum, and that she last lived in the residence about five years ago.

She said that she was storing personal items inside the residence, and that she did have old PNC bank checks that were stored in a tote in the living room of that residence, as well as old knickknacks including horse-related items inside of the residence.

She said the Tiki fuel found in Crum’s vehicle was located in the kitchen in the residence.

Crum faces charges of arson and related offenses; burglary; criminal trespass; criminal mischief; the controlled substance, drug, device, and cosmetic act: prohibited acts; penalties; recklessly endangering another person; theft by unlawful taking or disposition; unauthorized use of automobiles and other vehicles; driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked; and operation of vehicle without official certificate of inspection.

He is currently incarcerated in the Carbon County Correctional Facility in lieu of $100,000 straight bail.