Handcuffed man facing arson charges flees

A man who was charged after his smoke alarm was found disabled during an Aug. 7 fire at his apartment building ran handcuffed from police about three months later, court papers state.

For the fire, Paul P. Park, 40, Freeland, was charged by a Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal with tampering with fire apparatus or property and criminal mischief, misdemeanors; along with a summary count of disorderly conduct.

His bail in that case was set at $25,000 Nov. 4 by Magisterial District Judge David Barilla.

According to arrest papers:

Freeland firefighters were called to 346 Centre St. for a fire alarm and found the smoke detector wires in Park’s apartment intentionally cut. The fire marshal learned Park was attempting to use the stove to make tea, but when he turned on a burner a plastic covering on it began to melt and catch fire. His smoke alarm activated but it agitated Park, who removed it and cut the wires.

The fire marshal was conducting interviews related to that investigation Nov. 4 around 3 p.m. in the Freeland area when he learned Park had several outstanding warrants. After seeing Park walking in the alley between Washington Street and Route 940, the fire marshal detained him on two bench warrants and was preparing to bring him to Luzerne County Correctional Facility, Wilkes-Barre, when Park took off still in handcuffs.

He headed south on Washington Street, went between houses and passed MMI Preparatory School while the school was dismissing students.

Additional officers arrived in the area finding Park on St. Johns Drive. Park was searched and found with a hypodermic needle and a packet labeled “Black Jack.”

He was charged with felonies of flight to avoid apprehension and escape and misdemeanors of use or possession of drug paraphernalia, theft by unlawful taking and disorderly conduct. His bail in that case was set at $75,000 by Barilla.