Garno charged with arson

PENN YAN—Greg Garno, 49, of 348 Main St. was apprehended Tuesday, Nov. 27 after allegedly barricading himself inside his home and setting it on fire. He was arrested Monday morning, Dec. 3 and charged with arson, criminal mischief, and five counts of menacing a police officer, all felonies. He is also being charged with reckless endangerment.
Yates County Sheriff Ron Spike said the sheriff’s department assisted the Penn Yan Police Department after receiving reports of Garno barricading himself within the house and threatening to harm others. Penn Yan Police Chief Mark Hulse said they had contacted the Ontario County Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.) team, but had to force their way into the house before their arrival once they realized it was on fire. Hulse said the incident happened around 2 p.m. and that Garno was armed only with “a baseball bat and a kitchen knife.” Hulse said no officers were harmed during the forced entry.
Hulse said Garno was alone at the time he barricaded himself inside his house and he reportedly intentionally set it ablaze during a standoff with the officers outside. Spike said the sheriff’s department locked down the Penn Yan Central School District for about an hour while the police got the situation under control. Garno was taken to Soldiers and Sailors for treatment of his injuries.
The Penn Yan Fire Department put out the blaze once the house was clear. The Benton Fire Department also assisted with the fire. Both stories of the house suffered fire damage, with firemen clearing out the debris and hosing it down once the fire was extinguished.
Garno is currently being held without bail and appeared in village court Monday, Dec. 3.