MOUNT JOY, Pa.–A York woman is behind bars after police say she vandalized and set fire to another woman’s car in Mount Joy Borough, Lancaster County earlier this week.
Tami Sue Mateljan, 41, is charged with reckless burning or exploding, risking a catastrophe, two counts of criminal mischief and terroristic threats with intent to terrorize another. She was arraigned Thursday and taken to Lancaster County Prison in lieu of $250,000 bail.
Police were first dispatched to Sassafras Terrace on Sept. 11 for a report of a vandalism to a car. Investigators discovered someone, later identified as Mateljan, had painted the word “whore” on the woman’s trunk, according to the criminal complaint and affidavit. The word was also keyed into the trunk, court documents state.
Two days later, on Sept. 13, officers responded back out to Sassafras Terrace for a vehicle fire. Police discovered the same car had been doused in gasoline and set on fire with matches, according to the criminal complaint.
The victim told police that shortly after the fire, she received a phone call from a woman stating “the next time it will be you and your kids.”
Police quickly identified Mateljan as the suspect. During an interview with police, Mateljan admitted to vandalizing the vehicle and setting fire to it because her ex-boyfriend was romantically involved with the victim, according to the criminal complaint.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 22.
