BARTON, NY (607NewsNow) — A Tioga County man is accused of attempted arson.

State Police say Jeremy Searles got into an argument Monday with three people and tried setting a trailer on fire in Barton. According to a news release, “When patrols arrived, they observed that several areas on the property where brush had been recently burnt.”

“An investigation determined that there had been a dispute involving Searles and three other people when Searles intentionally ignited brush in an attempt to burn an occupied trailer.  The fire was put out by the other people that were involved in the dispute.”

The 50-year-old was arrested Tuesday and charged with attempted arson, a felony, and misdemeanor criminal mischief.

“When Troopers attempted to interview Searles, they could hear him from a wooded area near the property and believed that he was suffering from a mental health crisis.  Searles fled the area but Troopers ultimately located Searles several hours later.  He was taken into custody outside the residence on March 25.  He was transported to Wilson Medical Center to be evaluated.”

Searles is in the Tioga Correctional Facility with bail set at $25,000.