Teen held in burglary, fire

Police said they recovered the ex-mayor's items from the boy's house.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU
SHARON, Pa. -- Police said Sharon's former mayor and police chief was the target of a 15-year-old neighborhood boy who burglarized his home, wrote threatening graffiti, then set the house on fire.
Firefighters were called to Dave and Yvonne Ryan's Buhl Court home at 5:30 a.m. Saturday after a neighbor saw smoke coming from the house, said Fire Chief Terrance Whalen.
The Ryans were away for the weekend and the suspect forced his way into the house, authorities said.
Whalen said firefighters found a couch and chair burning in the living room and smoke throughout the rest of the home.
Police Captain Mike Menster said the home had been burglarized and ransacked before the fire was started. Written in indelible marker on the exterior siding was "Dave Ryan is a dead man" and "The police station will blow up on May 2," according to Menster.
Police canvassed the neighborhood and by 7:30 a.m. had found the suspect and recovered from the teen's home several firearms, a large amount of police memorabilia, jewelry and compact discs belonging to Ryan. Menster said the only item not recovered was a Fraternal Order of Police retirement ring.
Ryan had been Sharon's police chief from 1989 to 1998 and served as mayor from 2002 until January.
What's next
Menster said the 15-year-old was sent to a juvenile detention facility and a juvenile petition has been filed in court accusing him of burglary, arson, theft, receiving stolen property, causing or risking a catastrophe, terroristic threats and possessing instruments of crime.
According to Menster, police plan to talk to the district attorney to see if any of the charges can be moved to adult court.
Menster said the motive is unclear.
"We know what he did. We are not certain why he did it at this point," he said. "Hopefully, it will become clearer as the case continues."
Menster could not say if more arrests are expected.
"By no means is this case shut. If the evidence points to another person, we will arrest them," he said.
Menster noted that police do not believe the threat against the police station was credible.
cioffi@vindy.com