.png)
Cybert
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
LUDINGTON — The suspect involved in an arson investigation, among other charges, has been formally charged. Patrick Joseph Cybert, 52, of Ludington, was arraigned today in Mason County’s 79th District Court. He has been charged with the felonies arson second degree, carrying a concealed weapon, domestic violence – third offense, and child abuse third degree.
Cybert was arrested early Thursday morning by Ludington Police Department following two criminal incidences that occurred in two separate locations in the city including a house fire at 205 N. Gaylord Ave. and an assault and child abuse incident in the 500 block of East Tinkham Avenue.
At 10:01 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 4, three fire departments were dispatched to a house fire at 205 N. Gaylord Ave. Ludington Fire Department was initially called to the residence and requested assistance from Pere Marquette Township Fire Department and Hamlin Township Fire Department. Initial dispatch information indicated that it was unknown if anyone was at the house. Firefighters later confirmed that the house was unoccupied at the time of the fire. The front of the house was engulfed in fire upon the arrival of the first fire unit.
Prior to the fire call, Ludington Police Department officers had responded to a domestic disturbance in the 500 block of East Tinkham Avenue. Upon arrive, officer discovered that a 52-year-old Ludington man had assaulted both a juvenile and a 52-year-old woman before fleeing the scene, according to Ludington Police Chief Chris Jones.
“The investigation suggested that the suspect (Cybert) might be at a residence in the 200 block of North Gaylord Avenue, where he was reportedly damaging property and potentially intending self-harm,” Jones said.
As police officers were en-route to locate Cybert on North Gaylord Avenue, Mason-Oceana 911 dispatched LPD and Ludington Fire Department to the house fire in that same block.
“Upon arrival, responders found the residence fully engulfed in flames,” Jones said. First units to arrive were officers from LPD and deputies from Mason County Sheriff’s Office.
“Due to the intense heat and fire conditions, officers and deputies could not enter the building and instead focused on evacuating nearby homes and establishing a perimeter,” Jones said.
Jones said LPD officers informed Ludington Fire Chief John Henderson that there was a possibility of a person inside the house.
“The first engine company conducted a brief primary search of the first floor but had to withdraw due to severe fire conditions,” Jones said. “After a quick knockdown of the fire, a more thorough search was conducted, revealing no one in the residence.”
Firefighters were able to control the fire within 15 minutes of the initial call. However, fire had severely damaged the historic home.
“After being advised that no one was located inside the residence, LPD officers, Mason County Sheriff’s Office deputies, and Michigan State Police troopers began an extensive search for the suspect,” Jones said. “Shortly after, a person matching the suspect’s description was found in the 200 block of South Lakeshore Drive by MSP troopers. The individual was positively identified as the suspect in the domestic assault, child abuse, and arson investigations.”
Jones said Cybert was transported by Life EMS to Corewell Health Ludington Hospital for a medical evaluation. Following this, he suspect was arrested and taken to the Mason County Jail, pending arraignment.
Emergency units responding to the scene included Ludington Fire Department, Pere Marquette Township Fire Department, Hamlin Township Fire Department, Ludington Police Department, Mason County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police and Life EMS ambulance. Also responding to the scene was a crew from Consumers Energy.
Ludington Fire Department was called back twice to the residence, at 5:29 a.m. and again at 6:15 a.m. At 6:26 a.m. Pere Marquette Township Fire Department and Hamlin Fire Department were also dispatched to assist.
Bond and preliminary hearing information was not yet available upon posting and will be updated when it becomes available.
____________________________
Please Support Local News
Receive daily MCP and OCP news briefings along with email news alerts for $10 a month. Your contribution will help us to continue to provide you with free local news.
The easiest way is to sign up for an automatic monthly payment on Paypal. Click this link.
Alternative methods:
- We can send you an invoice for a yearly payment of $120, which you can conveniently pay online or by check. If you are interested in this method, please email editor@mediagroup31.com and we can sign you up. You can also mail a yearly check for $120 to Media Group 31, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454 (please include your email address).
We appreciate all our readers regardless of whether they choose to continue to access our service for free or with a monthly financial support.
If you would like to support MCP/OCP but do not wish to receive daily emails, please consider sending a contribution to any of the above methods or pay by Venmo (@masoncountypress).
_____
This story and original photography are copyrighted © 2024, all rights reserved by Media Group 31, LLC, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. No portion of this story or images may be reproduced in any way, including print or broadcast, without expressed written consent.
As the services of Media Group 31, LLC are news services, the information posted within the sites are archivable for public record and historical posterity. For this reason it is the policy and practice of this company to not delete postings. It is the editor’s discretion to update or edit a story when/if new information becomes available. This may be done by editing the posted story or posting a new “follow-up” story. Media Group 31, LLC or any of its agents have the right to make any changes to this policy. Refer to Use Policy for more information.
Please consider helping to fund local news. Mason County Press and Oceana County Press are available for free thanks to the generous support of our advertisers and individuals. Three ways to help us: Venmo: @MasonCountyPress; Paypal: MasonCountyPress@gmail.com; Mail a check to PO BOX 21, Scottville, MI 49454.
.jpg)
