A LeRoy man has been charged with criminal mischief and harassment after a police say he threatened his neighbor with a blow torch and then locked himself in his apartment with the blowtorch and a child.
The incident happened on Christmas Eve around 6:30 p.m. on Clay Street in LeRoy.
LeRoy Police say 33-year-old Matthew McCracken threatened to kill and injure his neighbor, burning the neighbor's door frame and door with the blow torch.
According to police, McCracken then went back to his apartment and refused to answer either his phone or the door. Police believe McCracken still had the blow torch and was in the apartment with a two-year-old child.
Police say they forced entry into the apartment out of concern for the child.
McCracken was arrested and charged with 4th degree criminal mischief and 2nd degree harassment in the 2nd degree. He was remanded to the Genesee County jail in lieu of $500 bail.
The child was found unharmed and was turned over to the mother.
