New Kensington police say a man told officers he wanted to burn an apartment building he lives in with his family and others.

Mark Douglas Daniels Jr., 33, of 740 Seventh St. was arraigned Thursday, Aug. 18 on a felony charge of arson before District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr.

Daniels was released on an unsecured $5,000 bail.

Police said they were called to investigate a vandalism incident at Daniels’ address the afternoon of Aug. 11.

In a criminal complaint, police said a woman told them that Daniels, who is her neighbor, took a wreath from her door and wood trim from her landing and burned them on the front porch.

The woman did not see Daniels do it, but suspected him. There were no cameras or other witnesses, the complaint states.

Police said they found Daniels hiding at the end of a short hallway in a doorway leading to the basement.

Police said Daniels admitted to taking the wreath and trim, and told an officer he took them because he was angry.

Police said Daniels also admitted to burning the items. According to the complaint, the officer told Daniels how dangerous that was and asked him what if it would have spread and caught the building on fire.

Police said Daniels answered, “Well, that’s kinda what I wanted to do.”

Daniels did not have an attorney listed in court records.

Daniels is scheduled for a preliminary hearing before Pallone on Sept. 8.

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