Man jailed after stolen car burned in Trafford

A Delmont man was arrested Sunday on police accusations that he stole a car in Trafford and set it on fire near railroad tracks, according to court papers.

Steven Ray Flenner, 35, was being held at the Westmoreland County Prison on $50,000 bail on charges of reckless burning, risking catastrophe, theft and related offenses.

Trafford police said a 2004 Oldsmobile Alero with fire damage was found along a Norfolk Southern rail line around 11 a.m. Wednesday. The owner of the car told police it had been taken from his home along Duquesne Avenue that morning and a set of keys was missing, according to court papers.

Residential security cameras in the neighborhood showed Flenner put a gas can in the car and drive away in it. Borough cameras showed the car travel on Brinton Avenue and turn onto First Street around 10:45 a.m., according to court papers.

The car’s owner told police he was involved in an incident with Flenner a few days earlier that may have resulted in Flenner being upset, but no details of that situation were provided by police in the complaint. Flenner did not have an attorney listed in online court records. A May 13 preliminary hearing is set.