New Castle County Police arrested a 22-year-old man after authorities said a disturbance at a Cantwell Ridge home involved assaults, threats, children fleeing the residence and a fire allegedly set while several people were still inside.
Officers responded to the 800 block of Ridge Court at approximately 5 a.m. Friday, September 11, for a reported disturbance inside a residence. Police said the suspect, identified as James Alie, had fled before officers arrived.
Investigators determined Alie had physically confronted one victim, resulting in property damage, before allegedly threatening another victim with serious physical injury if they called 911. When the victim attempted to make the call, police said Alie assaulted the victim and took their cell phone, preventing them from contacting authorities.
The victim and several children were able to escape the residence and reach a safe location, where they called 911.
While officers searched the area, one officer spotted Alie standing on the roof of another residence in the 800 block of Ridge Court. Police said Alie jumped from the neighboring home’s roof as additional officers arrived and was then taken into custody. Emergency medical personnel responded and provided medical aid to Alie.
During the investigation, officers discovered remnants of a fire in a downstairs living area. Police determined Alie had allegedly started the fire while several people were inside the residence. The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office was contacted and joined the investigation.
New Castle County Police charged Alie with three felony counts of aggravated menacing, second-degree robbery and multiple misdemeanor offenses, including terroristic threatening, criminal mischief, third-degree assault, endangering the welfare of a child, theft, malicious interference with emergency communications, breach of release and second-degree criminal trespass.
The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office additionally charged Alie with four felony counts of first-degree reckless endangering and one felony count of first-degree arson.
Alie was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in lieu of $74,000 cash bail.
