An arrest warrant has been issued for a Warren man who destroyed “everything” in a residence in the city and left the stove partially on – filling the home with gas – last month.

Joseph L. Armstrong, 36, faces charges from multiple incidents.

The most recent occurred on Oct. 22 when City of Warren police were dispatched to the residence and met outside by the victim.

“Upon entry into the residence, every piece of the victim’s property was destroyed,” police allege in the affidavit. “It was clear (Armstrong) either gained entry into the house by breaking into the rear door due to the rear strike plate being broken and boot prints being located on the door or through the front door where the screen appeared to be cut out.”

Officers detail what was destroyed including plates, the oven door, microwave, light fixture and televisions. “It was difficult,” the affidavit states, “for officers to walk through the house without waking over broken items. The damages to the house were in excess of $5,000.”

Police “could detect the scent of gas accumulating inside the residence” and “found that the oven’s gas knobs were activated, releasing the gas into the house.” The victim told police in messages that were deleted from her phone that Armstrong said he was going to burn the house down.

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to contact city police at (814) 723-2700 or the Warren County Crime Stoppers at (800) 83-CRIME.

See Wednesday’s Times Observer for a full story.