Man Accused Of Setting Fire To Ex-Girlfriend's Apartment Indicted

MOUNT VERNON, NY — A 36-year-old man who prosecutors say stalked and harassed a former girlfriend repeatedly and set fire to her apartment has been indicted.

Tony Clark of Mount Vernon was named in a 15-count indictment handed by by a grand jury. Arraigned Wednesday in Westchester County Court, he will remain in custody in the county jail, District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. said. His next court date is set for January.

Prosescutors alleged Clark flattened the tires on the victim’s vehicle, threatened her with a knife, causing damage to her vehicle, and unlawfully entered her apartment where he stole her phone and some cash between July 22 and 23.

At 2:15 a.m. Aug. 20, Clark again unlawfully entered the victim’s apartment where he attempted to assault her, prosecutors alleged. When her child attempted to contact the police, Clark snatched the phone, scratching the child’s face in the process. Officers from the Mount Vernon Police Department responded and Clark barricaded himself inside the victim’s apartment.

The DA said Clark then started two fires.

Clark was eventually removed from the building by members of the Emergency Services Unit of the police department, and placed under arrest. The Mount Vernon Fire Department responded and extinguished the blaze but the damage to the victim’s apartment was extensive, resulting in the entire evacuation of the building and the displacement of 41 people. SEE: Arson Arrest After Pre-Dawn Fire In Mount Vernon.

Following Clark’s arrest Aug. 20, orders of protection were issued in favor of the victim, her child, and another witness. While incarcerated at the Westchester County Jail, on Sept. 1, Clark violated the orders of protection by calling the victim, the DA said.

The charges:

• Criminal Tampering in the Third Degree, a misdemeanor
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a class D felony
• Menacing in the Second Degree, a misdemeanor
• Burglary in the Second Degree, a class C felony
• Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree, a misdemeanor
• Petit Larceny, a misdemeanor
• Stalking in the Second Degree
• Arson in the Second Degree, a class B felony
• Burglary in the Second Degree, a class C felony
• Attempt Assault in the Third Degree, a misdemeanor
• Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a misdemeanor
• Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree, a misdemeanor
• Harassment in the Second Degree, a violation
• Two Counts of Criminal Contempt in the Second Degree, a misdemeanor

Special Prosecutions Division Assistant District Attorney Wendy Parra, Domestic Violence Bureau Chief, and Assistant District Attorney Janelle Armentano are prosecuting the case.