Cops: Bartender Arrested In American Legion Arson Tried To Evade Capture On Golf Cart
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UNIONTOWN (KDKA) – A bartender is facing charges in connection with a fire that caused significant damage at an American Legion post in Fayette County.
The fire happened around 4 a.m. Friday at American Legion Post 51 on East Main Street in Uniontown.
Officials suspected arson from the beginning of the investigation. The damage was estimated at nearly $1 million.
"Half the building is completely destroyed. We're gonna have to gut it," Post Commander Robert Doria said.
An arrest warrant was issued for 37-year-old James Shaffer Jr., of Fairchance.
In addition to setting the fire, Shaffer is also accused of stealing $2,000 from the bar.
"The fire was meant to destroy any evidence as well as surveillance video," Pennsylvania State Trooper Robert Broadwater said. "But, the surveillance [camera] picked up the fire and the smoke from the backroom kitchen areas, where Shaffer walked out of."
Shaffer can reportedly be seen on surveillance footage entering the kitchen with a newspaper and exiting without it. The fire started moments later.
"The surveillance video picked up the fire and the smoke coming out from the backroom, the kitchen, where Mr. Shaffer just walked out of," Broadwater said.
KDKA's Ross Guidotti Reports:
He is now facing a list of charges including arson, criminal mischief and theft. He was taken into custody in West Virginia on Thursday evening and is being held in West Virginia Regional Jail, awaiting extradition back to Pennsylvania.
When Shaffer was taken into custody by law enforcement officers, he tried to escape on a golf cart as authorities started to approach him. Sources told KDKA-TV News that he appeared to be highly intoxicated at the time.
The American Legion Post sustained damage estimated to be close to $1 million. But Doria says despite the extensive damage, the Post can come back.
"We're not out of business," he said. "Our programs are strong. We're coming back from this. We're wounded, but we're not out of the fight. We'll get bandaged up, and we'll stand tall."
