Man charged with attempted arson after threatening to burn down apartment building when his cat went missing

Richard Wareham (Cass County Jail photo)

FARGO (KFGO) – A Fargo man is charged with attempted arson and terrorizing after threatening to burn down his apartment building.

Police say 62-year-old Richard Wareham poured gasoline in the hallways and told residents he was going to burn down the building.

Neighbors called police around 8 a.m. Sunday after smelling gasoline and seeing Wareham walking around with a handgun. One neighbor told police Wareham was upset about losing his cat, and said he was going to ‘take matters into his own hands.’

Officers found an empty gas can and a handgun in Wareham’s apartment.

Wareham will be in court Wednesday.