Altoona man accused of trying to burn down father’s home while intoxicated

ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) — An alleged evening of drinking turned into arson charges for an Altoona man Thursday night, according to Altoona police.

Ryan Dionis, 44, was charged with attempted arson, aggravated assault, terroristic threats, reckless endangerment and resisting arrest after police were called to his father’s house, where he was living, shortly after 9 p.m. Oct. 10.

According to Dionis’ father, his son had come home “extremely intoxicated,” police wrote in the criminal complaint. Dionis was being belligerent and was told he wasn’t allowed in the house because of the way he was acting.

Charges state that the father said Dionis opened a front window and pushed over a flower pot inside the home before heading to the garage and coming back with a container of gasoline. He alleged his son tried to dump the gas through the window but missed and gas was all over the side of the house and on the front porch. Police noted a carpet on the porch was wet with gasoline.

The father told officers that Dionis had a lighter in his hand and threatened to start the fire before heading to the back of the house and not being seen again.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, police found the gas container at the back of the house and Dionis trying to hide in a bush. Officers said he refused to come out from the bush and was ultimately pulled out by his arm where he tried resisting arrest, kicking an officer in the head in the process.

Police noted that after taking him into custody, they found his clothes to be drenched from the gasoline.

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Dionis was placed in Blair County Prison with bail set at $200,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 23.

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