Syracuse resident Jaron Wiggs faces multiple charges after police say he confined a woman and her children to their house, attempted arson and threatened to shoot officers.
Wiggs, 27, of 402 W. Pickwick Drive, Syracuse, was arrested Sunday night by Syracuse police for criminal confinement, intimidation, arson, criminal recklessness and invasion of privacy.
According to Kosciusko County officials, police encountered Wiggs near Wawasee High School’s auto mechanic shop after 5 p.m. Wiggs ran towards the officer, stating that his house was on fire and that he wanted the officer to shoot him in the head. He told police that if they didn’t shoot him, that he would shoot them in the head. When asked if he had a weapon, Wiggs replied “maybe.” Wiggs was convinced to lay on the ground and was then detained.
Police summoned the Syracuse Fire Department to the Pickwick Drive residence. Syracuse Fire Chief Mickey Scott later confirmed that lighter fluid was spread throughout the house and that the fire had gone out by the time the fire department arrived.
Police then interrogated the owner of the home, who said that when Wiggs arrived at her home earlier that day, she assumed he was under the influence of a controlled substance so she attempted to leave with her two children. Wiggs, holding a metal rod, said that if she attempted to leave or contact police he would kill her in front of her children, according to police. Wiggs eventually let the victim and her children leave the house hours later.
Wiggs’ mother, Elizabeth Zartman, later contacted the victim looking for Wiggs. Zartman told police that Wiggs had called her saying that he hated his life and was going to kill himself.
The victim did have a protective order stating that Wiggs was not to have contact with her.
Wiggs was booked into Kosciusko County Jail with a $15,250 bond.
(Story By The Times Union)
