The Allegheny County Police Department has arrested a 41-year-old Pittsburgh man for allegedly setting fire to multiple vehicles. ACPD reports that the Wilkins Township Volunteer Fire Department responded to 3498 William Penn Highway for a commercial structure fire around 3:21 a.m. on June 13, 2024.
At the scene, first responders found that there was an active fire in the building. An employee of a nearby business told Wilkins Township Police Department officers that a white male with blue jeans and a black shirt was observed hiding behind an electric transformer in the parking lot.
Around 4:45 a.m., WTPD officers took the individual into custody. ACPD’s General Investigation Unit responded to initiate an investigation in conjunction with the Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s Office.
Detectives say that 41-year-old David Harknett was responsible for setting the fire in Wilkins Township. It is also alleged that Harknett was responsible for a string of other incidents since June 11.
- Commercial structure fire at Christ the Divine Shephard Parish in Monroeville
- Vehicle fire in the 200 block of Garden City Drive in Monroeville
- Vehicle fire in the 200 block of Lilac Drive in Monroeville
- Vehicle fire and theft from a vehicle in the 200 block of Caryl Drive in Pleasant Hills
- Vehicle fire and theft from a vehicle in the 4300 block of Clairton Boulevard in Brentwood
- Theft from several vehicles at the Jefferson Hills Police Department
Harknett is facing multiple charges which will include Aggravated Arson, Criminal Mischief, Receiving Stolen Property, and Recklessly Endangering Another Person.
Jay Skelton is an independent crime journalist with a passion for covering the uncovered and the under covered.