Garrattsville man arrested in Sunday New Lisbon fire
NEW LISBON, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) — Otsego County Sheriffs have arrested a Garrattsville man after he allegedly set a fire in a garage in New Lisbon.
Five fire departments were called to a residence in the town of New Lisbon on Sunday, October 6, where a garage containing 13 vehicles was fully involved in the fire. According to Otsego County Sheriffs, all 13 vehicles had sustained significant damage or were a total loss, as well as multiple unknown items and various pieces of machinery.
Further investigation by Otsego County Sheriffs found that the suspect — 33-year-old Schuyler Schmidt of Garrattsville — intentionally set fire to the garage. Sheriffs also found that a relative of Schmidt's had owned the garage.
Following the investigation, Schmidt was taken into custody by Otsego County Sheriffs without further incident. A search of Schmidt during his arrest found approximately six grams of methamphetamine as well.
Schmidt was transported to the Otsego County Correctional Facility in Cooperstown for processing. He was ultimately charged with:
second-degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, a Class B Felony,
seventh-degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, a Class A Misdemeanor,
third-degree Arson, a Class C Felony,
fourth-degree Arson, a Class E Felony, and
Schmidt is currently awaiting arraignment in the Otsego County Correctional Facility. After a consultation, the Otsego County District Attorney's office has recommended remanding Schmidt, and no bail recommendation was given.
The Otsego County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Otsego County Office of Emergency Services, as well as volunteers from the Mount Vision, West Laurens, Garrattsville, Morris and Edmeston Fire Departments.
