A Warren man charged in connection with a burglary and fire at the Moose Club back in February had pleaded guilty.

Joseph R. Kuzminski, 33, pled guilty to burglary, causing or risking a catastrophe and theft by unlawful taking during change of plea proceedings on Monday before President Judge Maureen Skerda.

The burglary charge is a first-degree felony while the other charges are a felony and misdemeanor, respectively.

District Attorney Rob Greene indicated that he consulted the club regarding the details of the plea.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, officers were dispatched to the club, 422 Pennsylvania Ave. W., for a “report of smoke in the structure” at about 9:50 p.m. on Feb. 25.

City of Warren fire crews advised that a police response was needed to the second floor of the building where police observed “candles burning in a room that is commonly used as just storage.” A window leading to the roof was also open.

Further investigation found a fire escape on the rear of the building that led to the open window and a “plastic bucket burnt on the floor that started the floor boards on fire” was found. Police indicate they could only determine that it was a bucket due to the metal handle.

In an adjacent room, police also discovered a digital scale, pill bottles belonging to Kuzminski and another individual, phone chargers and a cordless drill, among other items.

Patrons in the club noticed a burning smell but the source wasn’t discovered until someone went outside and observed “a smoke haze on the second floor of the building.”

An individual went up to investigate and heard noises. That individual returned and heard “several items crashing around” but didn’t enter the room further “because she had no idea how many suspects there were.”

Police allege that security camera footage revealed Kuzminski in the rear of the building as well as speaking with the cashier at Kwik Fill.

Police then, per the affidavit, located Kuzminski, who allegedly admitted “to being in the Moose Club.”

He agreed to answer questions and “admitted to going up the fire escape and locating a partially open window” by which he gained access to the building.

Kuzminski, according to the affidavit, then told police that “he intentionally started the fire in the building to use for light and heat” but “got distracted as he was looking through boxes.”

He then reported to police that the fire was approximately one foot over the top of the bucket and said he “got scared and went out to the bathroom and got a container of water and dumped it on the fire” before leaving the building “when he heard and saw the Fire Department out front of the building.”

He also reported to police that, per the criminal complaint, he took a cordless hammer drill and cordless drill — valued at $490 — from a church at Third Ave. and Market St.

Skerda presented the specific allegations behind each charge – the burglary charge addresses him illegally entering the club, the risking catastrophe offense covers the fire and the theft charge is from the drills he took from the church in the area.

In exchange for the plea, charges of arson – danger of death or bodily injury, criminal mischief and receiving stolen property were not prosecuted.