A city man faces charges in two cases after allegedly threatening to burn down the home where his children lived and running from police.

David Rocco Carsia, 35, was arraigned in both cases Thursday by Magisterial District Judge Paula M. Aigner on single felony counts of arson and criminal trespass, a misdemeanor count of making terroristic threats and single summary counts of criminal mischief and harassment and a single ungraded count of burglary in the first case and single felony counts of escape and flight to avoid apprehension, single misdemeanor counts of false identification to a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest, as well as a summary count of disorderly conduct in the second. He was remanded to the Blair County Prison in lieu of respective $100,000 and $75,000 bail.

Altoona police responded to a report of a disturbance along the 1100 block of Fourth Avenue about 11:22 a.m. Tuesday. The victim told police she had an active PFA against Carsia, effective April 18, 2024, which barred him from the residence and from contacting her, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

The victim said she had guardianship over Carsia’s children and he recently got out of mental health treatment. When he came to the residence, the victim told officers she stepped out to confront Carsia while a juvenile stayed at the door. Carsia told them he was there to see his child, to which the victim told him no and to leave, court documents state.

Carsia then began pushing the door, trying to get inside, and began a verbal argument. The victim said Carsia brandished a pocket knife and as she and the juvenile retreated inside, the victim was caught between the door and door frame as the juvenile was attempting to push the door shut. Carsia reached past the victim and knocked the juvenile’s cellphone from their hand.

When the juvenile was able to close the door with the victim inside, she said Carsia reached into his backpack and removed a can of spray paint and a lighter, saying “I’m going to burn this house down and no one will have anywhere to go.” Carsia began trying to ignite the lighter but eventually put them back into his backpack and punched the window out of the door.

The victim called the police and Carsia fled the scene, court documents state.

Altoona police were on patrol about 5:05 p.m. Wednesday when they saw Carsia walking along the 200 block of Seventh Avenue. Officers made contact with Carsia, informing him he was detained and not free to leave. They told Carsia they recognized him and knew he had an active felony arrest warrant, the report states.

When officers asked Carsia for his name and date of birth so he could be positively identified, Carsia gave an alias and false birthday. Officers told Carsia he was under official police investigation and needed to supply his correct identification, but Carsia said that was his correct name and birthday, according to the affidavit.

Officers then asked Carsia to put down the hood of his sweatshirt so they could see his neck and saw tattoos that matched the photo on Carsia’s driver’s license. They told Carsia they were going to walk with him over to the police cruiser to formally confirm his identity. Carsia took about three steps toward the cruiser before sprinting south toward the 200 block of Sixth Avenue alley. Officers were able to catch up to Carsia as he reached the alleyway and took him into custody, the report states.

Carsia is scheduled for two preliminary hearings in front of Magisterial District Judge Daniel C. DeAntonio on April 2.