An Iowa woman who believes she is a witch was drawn to a “Witches Welcome” sign outside a stranger’s home and nearly set the porch on fire, police said.
Police in Burlington, Iowa, say they found 46-year-old Michelle Young setting alight outside what appeared to be a friend’s home, including tail lights, aluminum foil, bark, yellow lawn flags and other strange items. Hawk Eye newspaper reported. Regarding probable cause affidavits.
She reportedly told the arresting officer that she had spent approximately two hours rummaging in the area for strange items, but had no intention of harming anyone or starting the fire. The local paper reported.
Young told police he thought it was a friend’s house, but the homeowner told him he had never seen Young before.
Alligator ‘dad’ Albert chomps on bite to get back pet alligator seized by state ‘Please free Albert’
Michelle Young, who said she believed she was a witch, is accused of setting a neighbor’s balcony on fire in Burlington, Iowa, police said. (Burlington Police Department)
Burlington police said the first call was made Tuesday around 4:30 p.m. after a homeowner’s surveillance camera sent a “motion alert.”
Police said the owner witnessed a stranger lighting a pile of strange items on fire on his balcony and smoke was visible on camera.
Police rescue woman caught in fire, body camera video shows ‘take me there’
Burlington firefighters quickly extinguished the fire and no one was injured.
During her arrest, Young allegedly told officers she was a witch, believed the house belonged to a friend and did not intend to cause any harm.
Michelle Young allegedly spent hours collecting strange items on the porch of a woman’s home in the 2200 block of Vineyard Street in Burlington, Iowa, and then set them on fire. (Google Street View)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
She was charged with reckless use of fire and possession of drug paraphernalia.
A judge set her bond at $5,000 cash only during Wednesday’s court proceedings. Her next court appearance is scheduled for March 29, pending a preliminary hearing.
