Grand jury to consider Petroff arson case

AUSTINTOWN

A man accused of setting fire to his ex-girlfriend’s garage, truck and home had his case bound over to a Mahoning County grand jury Wednesday after a preliminary hearing.

John P. Petroff, 41, of Youngstown, faces five felony aggravated arson charges, and his bond was set at $250,000 cash or surety last week in Mahoning County Area Court in the township.

He appeared at the hearing with a cane and bandages on his leg.

Authorities found Petroff at a home on Potomac Avenue near his ex-girlfriend’s home July 30, after he purportedly set fire to her garage and truck and caused damage to 160 S. Navarre Ave. and 156 S. Navarre Ave.

Petroff told authorities that he had been sitting in a chair all night, but according to the police report, officers saw smoke coming from his leg and skin dripping off.

He received medical treatment at St. Elizabeth Health Center before being transported to the Mahoning County jail.

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