Police: Mortgage Woes Led Pennsylvania Men to Arson

Two northwestern Pennsylvania men are jailed on charges they set fire to their home to collect $120,000 in insurance money after falling behind on mortgage payments.

The Erie men, 40-year-old Donner Von Ritter and 22-year-old Daniel Potter, are charged with arson, conspiracy and other crimes in the July 2007 fire.

Police say the men set garbage on fire in their kitchen then left the home. A dog belonging to one of the men was killed and the home was extensively damaged.

Police say they charged the men based on conflicting statements they gave and because of letters police found showing Von Ritter was behind on the mortgage payments.

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Information from: Erie Times-News