Man charged with arson in two incidents was targeting Columbia woman, police say

A man has been arrested and charged Tuesday by the Columbia Police Department for his involvement with two arson cases where he allegedly targeted a woman.

Michael Young, 49, was charged with two counts of second degree arson, and two counts of third degree burglary, according to the police.

The first incident occurred on Jan. 12, at 2405 – B Matthews Street, a non-residential structure, according to the police. Young allegedly broke in and set materials on fire, causing damage to the structures and contents.

The second incident occurred on Jan. 24, in a residence at 2403 Matthews Street, police said. The resident wasn’t home at the time of the blaze where the Columbia Fire Department and the police found partially burned materials in two rooms of the home.

Investigators are trying to determine an exact motive for the incidents, but police said they believe the fires were targeted acts against female acquaintance of Young.

Young is being held at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

This story was originally published January 30, 2018 at 4:54 PM with the headline "Man charged with arson in two incidents was targeting Columbia woman, police say."