44°
Scott Young, 39, of Southington was taken into custody Thursday afternoon and charged with first-degree arson, insurance fraud, first-degree criminal mischief, three counts of reckless endangerment, second-degree providing a false statement, and interfering with an officer.
Young was the proprietor of Rooster Wine & Liquor Store at 113 S. Main St., but was renting the space, police said. He reported on Jan. 21 that the liquor store located at 113 S. Main St. had been robbed by two armed men who stole cash from the register and setting the building on fire. He had also blamed the two men for a racial slur and two swastikas that had been painted on a rear door of the store, according to police.
Young told police that he had to smash the front window in order to flee the burning building. Police launched an investigation after the incident, which was also condemned by the Anti Defamation League of Connecticut.
Police said that investigators from the Newtown Police Department, Connecticut State Police Troops A and L including the CSP Fire and Explosions Investigation Unit, and the Newtown Fire Marshal's Office worked endless hours on the investigation to prepare a warrant for Young's arrest.
Young was taken into custody as he was released from the MidState Medical Center in Meriden on an unrelated illness, police said. Bond was set at $100,000.
Newtown Police Chief James Viadero commended the officers and agencies involved for a thorough and quick conclusion to such a disturbing crime.
"The fact that Mr. Young used racial epithets and symbolism to cover up a crime was extremely disturbing to not only the community, but all the agency’s involved. Such an incident unnerves the community and we are thankful we could bring the incident to a successful resolution and put everyone’s concern at ease."
Click here to follow Daily Voice Newtown and receive free news updates.
