Apr 9, 2019 2 min read

A West Newton woman was charged with arson and assault after she allegedly set a truck on fire following an argument.

Marian Lyn Warman, 19, of 225 S. Sixth St., was charged with two counts of arson and one count each of reckless burning, arson endangering property, terroristic threats and simple assault before on-call Westmoreland County Magisterial District Judge Mark Mansour.

West Newton police said they were dispatched to a call along Sixth and Penn streets for a truck fire that was endangering a building. They were told a man and woman were fighting by the vehicle.

Upon arrival at the burning truck at 7:35 p.m. Saturday, police attempted to reach someone living at the house that was endangered by the fire by knocking on the door.

An elderly woman came to the door and said, “She’s inside, and I am not letting you in,” according to court paperwork.

Police forced entry into the residence and removed the woman for her safety.

A witness told police that Warman threw a gas can in the bed of the truck, took a piece of paper, lit it and tossed it in the bed of the truck.

West Newton Borough Volunteer Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire.

Police said they found Warman sitting in the grass behind a home and took her into custody without incident.

Police then spoke with John Palamara, the owner of the vehicle, who said he and Warman got into an argument, which then escalated to Warman allegedly striking him in the face and arms and saying she was going to set the truck on fire.

Warman admitted to throwing the gas can in the truck bed along with lit paper, police said.

Warman was lodged in Westmoreland County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bond.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled before Magisterial District Judge Charles Christner at 10 a.m. April 15.