for the News-Tribune

CUMBERLAND — A Cumberland man allegedly involved in the early-morning near-riot in Ridgeley on Oct. 15 has been arrested in Cumberland in connection with a series of arson fires that same morning on the downtown Cumberland Mall.
Investigators with the Allegany County Combined Criminal Investigation Unit (C3I) have arrested
18-year-old Patrick Levi Kneisley, of Virginia Avenue in Cumberland, in connection with the fires.
According to the police report, the Cumberland Fire Department responded to a series of fires that morning on the downtown mall at the Downtown Dollar and Robert’s Confections, and also a porta-pot fire on Frederick Street. They also learned that an attempt had been made to try to start a fire in a vehicle parked in the George Street parking garage during the same time frame.
The fires were put out, and the ensuing investigation into the cause of the fires determined that the fires had all been intentionally set.
A joint investigation by the Cumberland Fire Department, the Cumberland Fire Department Fire Marshal, the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Cumberland Police, and C3I was conducted. Through interviews of numerous witnesses, and video evidence, Kneisley was identified as a suspect. C3I Investigators then obtained an arrest warrant for Kneisley based on the evidence recovered.
Kneisley has been charged with second degree arson, first degree malicious burning, two counts of second degree malicious burning, attempted second degree malicious burning, and four counts of malicious destruction of property.
Kneisley was taken before the District Court Commissioner for an initial appearance and ordered held on $45,000.00 bond.
 He is currently incarcerated in the Allegany County Detention Center pending his next court appearance.
Kneisley was previously arrested on the morning of Oct. 15 when a group of approximately 10 people converged on a former Ridgeley police officer's home, allegedly threatening to harm him and burn down his house.
According to Ridgeley Police Chief Mike Miller,  Kneisley had been cursing and yelling and briefly struggled with Miller during the fracas. When Miller arrested him and put him in his cruiser, Kneisley kicked the window out of the vehicle.
Kneisley was charged with destruction of property, obstructing an officer, public intoxication, and disorderly conduct in connection with that incident.