Woman arrested for trying to set porch on fire; claims witchcraft as motive
Michelle Young, 46, was arrested by the Burlington Police Department on Tuesday and charged with reckless use of fire (serious misdemeanor) and possession of drug paraphernalia (simple misdemeanor).
At around 4:38 p.m., the Burlington police and fire departments were called to a home on the 2200 block of Vineyard Street for a report of a porch fire.
A resident at the home told police they saw Young on the front porch of the home lighting something on fire and smoke appearing, according to a criminal complaint.
Police found Young standing on the front porch of the home next to the fire.
When asked what she was doing, Young admitted to starting the fire and stated that she believed the home belonged to a friend, the complaint states.
Young also said that she had observed a sign that said, “Witches Welcome.”
She stated she was a witch and then lit some items on fire, but said she did not intend to hurt anyone or let the fire get out of control, according to the complaint.
Officers were able to locate the resident of the home, who said her security camera motion detectors alerted her to Young’s presence on the porch, and police were able to view the security footage which showed Young committing the act, the complaint states.
The resident told police she had never seen Young before, and that Young did not have permission to be on her property.
Young was taken to the Burlington Police Department to speak with detectives.
Before officers transported Young, they located a clear glass smoking pipe in her possession.
Young told police she had been in the area of Vineyard Street for approximately two hours walking around and picking up miscellaneous items, said she knocked on the door of the home three times believing that her friend lived there, smoked a cigarette on the porch, tried knocking again, didn’t get an answer, and then lit clothing and other miscellaneous items on fire while on the porch, according to the complaint.
