A man from Gloversville, New York, was arrested for allegedly breathing
fire on three different occasions at public places.
According to police, Jeffrey Wasula, 35, was arrested for inhaling a
flammable substance and setting it on fire as he released it from his
mouth.
Police said Wasula was observed committing the action three times inside
places of business and worship as well as near a gas pump.
The first incident took place at around 5:40pm on March 18 at the Church
of Holy Spirit in Gloversville. Parishioners were getting ready for
their first Family Fun Night when police received a call for a “fire
breather.”
“Numerous reports of an individual going from different places inhaling
some sort of an aerosol, then blowing it through his mouth and lighting
it on fire at the same time,” Cpt. Michael Scott with the Gloversville
PD said.
The second incident took place at around 9:40pm on March 24 at
Cumberland Farms in Gloversville. Police said he went right up to the
gas pumps.
“Harm wise, it’s endless,” Cpt. Scott said. “It could permanently maim
someone, burn a building down. We’ve had two arsons recently. It’s a big
concern for us.”
The third incident took place at around 11:30am on March 26 at Mohawk
Harvest Co-Op in Gloversville. The manager said that it seemed as though
Wasula was trying to put on a show.
When the manager asked Wasula to leave, he was met by officers.
“Through our investigation and some of the video footage, we were able
to see, we were able to identify who the person was,” Cpt. Scott said.
“One of our officers walking in the downtown area made contact with the
individual and had taken him into custody at that point.”
Police said Wasula’s alleged actions posed substantial risk for physical injury as well as risk of starting a fire. He
was charged with three counts of Reckless Endangerment in the Second
Degree and two counts of Disorderly Conduct.
Wasula is known to police, but they wouldn’t expand on his criminal
background. He was arrested and later arraigned in Gloversville City
Court.
He was sent to Fulton County Correctional Facility in lieu of $2,500
cash bail or $5,000 bond.
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