A 46-year-old Seattle man has been charged with stalking and arson for allegedly setting fire to his ex-girlfriend's apartment.
Police say David Clark has been harassing his ex-girlfriend since the 26-year-old woman ended the relationship in April. Since the break-up, the victim has filed 13 police reports claiming Clark was stalking and harassing her.
The victim claims Clark repeatedly showed up unannounced at her Belltown apartment building. She said he superglued her front door, used her photo to create fake online ads, and repeatedly called, texted and emailed her, according to police.
Despite being court ordered to stay at least 1,000 feet from the victim, police say surveillance video from inside the woman's apartment complex shows Clark entering the building in late July.
The victim told police she turned off her phone on August 14 because Clark was repeatedly calling her. When she turned the phone back on, she said she had two voicemails from Clark. In one of the messages, Clark allegedly said, "That's right, turn your phone off, that's going to help. I'm coming for you."
Just before 3:30 a.m. on August 15, police believe Clark purposefully tried to set the victim's apartment on fire using a towel and a cigarette. The woman awoke to the smell of smoke and found a towel on fire just inside her front door. She also found a cigarette near the towel, and it was the same brand Clark smokes.
Police checked the apartment's surveillance video and found that Clark was in the building prior to the fire.
Based on all the evidence collected, prosecutors charged Clark with attempted arson and felony stalking.
Clark, who has previously been arrested for domestic violence assault, is now wanted by police. He stands 5'10" tall, weighs roughly 150 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes. Police say Clark spends much of his time in Belltown or Capitol Hill.