A Federal Heights man who allegedly set his neighbor’s mobile home on fire has been charged with multiple felonies, including attempted first-degree murder.
Steven Richard Truetken, 56, is also charged with arson and possession and use of explosives in connection with a fire last week, according to the Adams County district attorney’s office.
Truetken is charged with setting his neighbor’s home, at 2037 Moselle St., ablaze on Jan. 17. Three neighbors were home when Truetken doused the residence in gasoline and ignited it, according to an arrest affidavit.
Truetken, who is being held on $1 million bail, has been charged with three counts of attempted first-degree murder, one count of using explosives or an incendiary device, two counts of first-degree arson, one count of possession of explosives, two counts of menacing, one count of attempted aggravated cruelty to animals and one count of crime of violence, a sentencing enhancer.
The defendant deliberately sprayed gasoline on the neighbor’s dog as he was spraying gas on the home. He attempted to spray gas on a neighbor but was unsuccessful, the affidavit said.
As part of the incident, Truetken was attempting to commit “suicide by cop,” court documents said. No one was injured. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 15.
