Cops: Maryland man tried to burn down neighbor's home after argument

ESSEX, Md. — John Wesley Mosley, a 65-year-old Maryland man, has been charged after allegedly setting his neighbor's home on fire following an argument on Tuesday, reports CBS Baltimore.

Mosley is now being held without bail at the Baltimore County Detention Center. He faces attempted first-degree murder, first-degree arson and first-degree assault charges.

On Tuesday, Baltimore County fire and police responded to the one-alarm fire at the victim's two-story home. A police officer and another neighbor were able to rescue the victim. She was injured but is expected to survive after being transported to a local hospital.

Before the fire, Mosley and his neighbor were in an argument Tuesday morning, detectives say.

Investigators say the victim was calling police when her windows were shattered and she saw fire.

Other neighbors told authorities that Mosley has recently been exhibiting strange behavior. The suspect was reportedly seen yelling outside his house on at least one occasion.

Police investigated the possibility that an incendiary device was involved in the fire.

No hazardous materials were found on Mosley's property Tuesday after police were issued a warrant to search the premises. However, investigators do believe that an acelerant was used to start the fire.

Mosley has been sent for emergency evaluations twice by police in the past, in 1995 and 1996.

This is the first reported incident of trouble between Mosley and the victim, who have been neighbors for many years. In the past month, authorities have twice been called regarding complaints about Mosley's behavior, but both times the suspect refused to talk with officers.

Baltimore County Police Department’s Mobile Crisis Unit, which responds when someone appears to be in crisis or suffering from a mental illness, was at Mosley’s home Sunday. Officers provided advice to Mosley’s neighbors (the victim and her friend, who was not at home at the time of Tuesday’s fire) and attempted to speak with Mosley.