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Jacob Fichter, 22, of Williamsport, is facing multiple arson-related charges for a series of fires he allegedly started at four locations in the city on Monday, Nov. 4 and Tuesday, Nov. 5, according to the Williamsport Bureau of Police.
The first incident happened at 5 a.m. in the parking lot of the Pajama Factory at 1307 Park Avenue where authorities found several vandalized vehicles, including one that was set ablaze, a previous report by Daily Voice states.
By mid-morning, at 9:00 a.m., another fire was reported involving a couch on the sidewalk at 1066 Vine Avenue, which affected nearby vehicles, the Daily Voice report states. The day’s final call came at 12:31 p.m., this time at a parking deck on 115 West Third Street, where two vehicles were found vandalized and subject to an intentionally set fire.
Police also connected Fichter to another fire in the 1300 block of Scott Street, according to the news release.
There were no injuries resulting from any of these fires and firefighters quickly contained the flames at each scene, Daily Voice reported previously. Several other fires that took place elsewhere in the city on the same day were not linked to Fichter in the current charges.
Police, in a joint investigation with the Williamsport Bureau of Fire, obtained surveillance video footage of Fichter riding his bicycle at several of the incident scenes, the news release states. Penn College Police assisted with locating the bicycle, which eventually led to Fichter.
Investigators got a search warrant for Fichter's apartment and vehicle, resulting in police finding clothing and items he was seen wearing in the surveillance videos at the time of each arson, according to the news release.
Officers also found several man-made incendiary items that seemed to be prepared for continued arsons, the news release states.
Fichter was arrested and admitted to setting several of the fires, including those on Vine and Scott streets, according to the news release.
He's being charged with:
- Arson Endangering Property.
- Criminal Mischief (two counts).
- Criminal Mischief/Damaging Property Intentionally (three counts).
- Reckless Burning or Exploding (three counts).
- Recklessly Endangering Another Person.
- Possessing Explosive/Incendiary Material.
- Possession of Instrument of Crime with Intent to Use.
- Loitering and Prowling at Night Time (two counts).
Fichter is being held in Lycoming County Prison on $200,000 bail, court documents state. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 26.
He's also facing charges for seven counts of Criminal Mischief - Damage Property in Centre County for a Tuesday, Oct. 22 incident, according to court documents.
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