From staff reports
A Linesville man is facing burglary and arson charges for allegedly locking himself in a residence and refusing to leave Monday morning in Pinegrove Township.
A criminal complaint filed by Franklin state police says troopers arrived at a residence on Marsh Lane at 9:15 a.m. Monday. The homeowners, who met police in their driveway, said a man had walked into their house and locked himself in their bedroom, according to the complaint.
Police made contact with Eric Copeland, 31, through the bedroom door where he had barricaded himself using large pieces of furniture, the complaint said.
A woman at the second residence said she and Copeland had been arguing the night before when Copeland started “freaking out” and locked himself in her bedroom, the complaint said.
The complaint said the woman told officers Copeland had started a fire inside the bedroom and showed police where the carpet, bedroom door and door frame were charred.
Police said Copeland admitted taking the knife after he was in custody.
Copeland has been charged with felony counts of burglary-overnight accommodations-person present, arson-inhabited building or structure and criminal trespass-break into a structure. He also faces three misdemeanor counts of recklessly endangering another person and criminal mischief.
He was arraigned before district judge Patrick Lowrey, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled July 24 in Venango County Central Court.
