The Pine Grove man charged with arson and other offenses has been caught and is in the Schuylkill County Prison.

State Police at Schuylkill Haven arrested Gregory Allen Aungst, 48, about a year after he was charged. A warrant had been issued for his arrest in January 2021.

Police say he set his house and car on fire Oct. 25, 2020, at 73 Hetzels Church Road, Pine Grove.

He is charged with 12 felonies, three misdemeanors and a summary offense. Police filed the following against him: one count each of causing a catastrophe, arson-intent to destroy unoccupied building, reckless burning or exploding-places uninhabited or unoccupied structure in danger of damage, reckless burning or exploding-places property having a value that exceeds $5,000 or automobile, place and two counts each of arson-danger of death or bodily injury, criminal mischief, damage to property, intent reckless or negligent, theft by unlawful taking-movable property, and receiving stolen property, all felonies.

Two misdemeanor charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, disorderly conduct were filed along with a summary charge of criminal trespass/simple trespass.

Magisterial District Judge David Rossi arraigned Aungst, who was unable to post $75,000 straight cash bail. A preliminary hearing is set for 9 a.m. March 24 in Rossi’s office.

After responding to the aforementioned address police found Aungst wearing clothes with blood and the smell of gasoline, according to an affidavit of probable cause. Fire personnel saw him leave the scene carrying “a gas can and a chain saw.”

He told firefighters “voices told me to burn the house down. My dad told me to burn the house down.”

Aungst was taken to the hospital. He told a trooper he used methamphetamine, alcohol and marijuana Oct. 24. Aungst told a trooper that voices in his head told him he was responsible for the coronavirus, ghosts were in his house and other “nonsensical statements.” He admitted he was the only one by the home during the fire.

The trooper went to the house and in a field saw a burned-out vehicle which belong to a man who reported it stolen. A pickup was found not far from where the burned-out vehicle was stolen, police said.

Gas cans and other items at the scene had blood on them, police said.

Deputy fire marshals determined the house and vehicle were intentionally set.