Man Poured Gasoline on Front Porch, Threatened to Burn House Down

Athens-Clarke County Police are investigating an attempt to burn down a Dearing Street residence using gasoline Sunday night around 9:35 p.m.

According to a media release, officers responded to a complaint of someone pouring gasoline on the front porch of a residence in the 600 block of Dearing Street. A witness told police that the suspect was yelling ”he was going to burn down the residence,” according to the release. “The witness asked him to not light the gasoline until she moved her vehicle. During this time, the suspect walked away.”

Police are looking for suspect Frank Parrish, 64, an ex-con with a long criminal history, the Athens Banner-Herald reported.

Police officers smelled gasoline on the porch when they arrived at the house, where a nephew Parrish accused of stealing money from him lives, the Banner-Herald reported

Officers went to Parish’s residence on Waddell Street to find him. “Another resident said he was inside and allowed the officers to come in; however, the suspect was not located,” police said in the news release.

Police are seeking arrest warrants for Parrish on charges of attempted first-degree arson and making terroristic threats.