PITTSBURGH — A woman is accused of trying to set fire to two Pittsburgh pizza shops while there were people inside.
Police said video shows Nicole Jo Dawson, 36, attempting to set fire to Pizza Milano on Fifth Avenue and Cafe Milano on Sixth Street on Oct. 29.
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In the video, police said Dawson was holding a green beer bottle with a piece of cloth hanging out the neck of the bottle. The manager told police Dawson intentionally lit the cloth with a lighter as she was walking into the Pizza Milano kitchen and allegedly threw it into a fryer filled with cooking oil.
That manager told investigators Dawson said: "I want to see that place on fire."
Police said there were customers at both pizza shops when Dawson allegedly attempted arson. She is a well-known community activist.
Dawson was at that same pizza shop in January during a protest.
In the Pizza Milano incident, she is charged with one count of arson possession of explosive or incendiary materials or device and one count of criminal attempt arson.
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Dawson is charged with two counts of arson endangering persons, one count of arson endangering property and one count of aggravated arson at Cafe Milano.
Police said Dawson turned herself in Thursday evening and was booked into the Allegheny County Jail.
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