AFTON – Police say they have arrested two men who are responsible for burglarizing an Afton residence and then setting the home afire to cover their crime.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested Eric A. Nelson, 25, and Felix J. Hartman, 21, both of Afton, and charged them with second degree burglary and third degree arson, both class C felonies.

The home, valued at $240,000, “was destroyed just so the defendants could cover their tracks,” said Undersheriff Ernest R. Cutting Jr.

The Chenango County 911 system records a neighbor contacting the center to report the fire at 3:45 a.m. May 31.

According to police, Nelson and Hartman entered the home at 331 State Highway 41, in the Town of Afton, in the hours before the blaze to steal property.

“They stole basic things, appliances and food mostly. I know an air conditioner was taken and later recovered,” reported the undersheriff.