Convicted Arsonist Indicted For July Blaze
Joshua D. Whalen
A Barrows Street home was destroyed after fire broke out in July. A city man has been indicted on arson and burglary charges tied to the blaze. P-J photo by Eric Tichy
Joshua D. Whalen
A Barrows Street home was destroyed after fire broke out in July. A city man has been indicted on arson and burglary charges tied to the blaze. P-J photo by Eric Tichy
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A Jamestown man on parole for a past arson conviction is accused of setting a fire that destroyed a city residence last month.
Joshua D. Whalen has been indicted on charges of third-degree arson and third-degree burglary, the Jamestown Police Department announced Monday. Following arraignment, the 34-year-old was remanded to Chautauqua County Jail after bail was set at $50,000 cash or $100,000 property bond.
Whalen's arrest was the result of a fire that broke out July 6 at 231 Barrows St. in Jamestown. City firefighters had been alerted to the blaze around 1:30 a.m. and discovered heavy fire at the rear of the two-and-a-half story property. Crews worked to protect a neighboring home before a search confirmed no one was inside.
At the time, Jamestown Battalion Chief Brian Achterberg said two firefighters were injured at the scene. One of the firefighters, he said, was transported to the hospital for treatment of a lower body injury.
An investigation determined the fire had been intentionally set, Jamestown police said in a news release.
"This indictment was the result of a month-long investigation by the Jamestown Police Department who utilized area surveillance video and eyewitness accounts to assist in this investigation," Capt. Robert Samuelson said Monday. "We urge anyone who may have additional information on this arson or any others that may be related to contact us directly or via tips lines."
According to online inmate records, Whalen was paroled in January while serving time for a third-degree burglary conviction. He served about seven years of his sentence before his release through the state Division of Parole.
Jamestown police said the fire that destroyed the Barrows Street home remains under investigation, along with other "arson incidents," remain under investigation and that additional charges are possible.
A Chautauqua County grand jury handed down a three-count indictment against Whalen in early 2016. Those charges were the result of his alleged involvement in the arson fires of vacant homes at 230 McKinley Ave. on Oct. 25, 2014; 420 Falconer St. on May 18, 2015; and 1052 1/2 N. Main St. on Dec. 24, 2015.
He was also connected to an arson in December 2009 that left a 225 Barrows St. home in ruins. The house was unoccupied, but reportedly in the process of being remodeled. Whalen, who was on parole at the time, was charged with third-degree arson.
In June 2014, Whalen reportedly led police on a vehicle pursuit that began in West Ellicott and ended in the city. Whalen was allegedly speeding, disobeying signs and making unsafe turns. He was handed multiple charges including first-degree reckless endangerment and unlawful fleeing of a police officer.
In May 2013, Whalen reportedly assaulted a family member at a 245 Barrows St. residence. When officers arrived, Whalen allegedly continued to be uncooperative and started spitting at officers.
He again faced multiple charges including third-degree criminal mischief and second-degree obstructing governmental administration.
Whalen was released on parole in February 2014.