Man drove over 700 miles and allegedly set house on fire because the victim was talking to his ex

BENSALEM, Pa. (TCN) -- A 21-year-old man faces multiple charges of attempted homicide and arson for allegedly driving from Michigan to Pennsylvania and lighting a house on fire because his ex-girlfriend was supposed to go on a date with the resident.

On Feb. 10 at 5:22 a.m., Bensalem Police Department officers and the Bensalem Volunteer Fire Department responded to a house fire on Merganser Way and made contact with six people who evacuated the home, some of whom reportedly needed to jump out of a second-story window. Bensalem Police said two dogs died as a result of the fire, which caused a "total loss" of the home. The six residents were taken to a hospital for treatment.

Investigators determined that the fire "appeared to be intentionally set and incendiary in nature." Video footage reportedly showed a black Volkswagen Passat drive by the home at 5:01 a.m., and a man got out of the car and walked to the home. About 15 minutes later, he was reportedly seen running back to his car. At the same time, smoke "could be seen billowing up from the rear yard of the home, and within 30 seconds, a large explosion was observed, and the house became engulfed in flames."

Investigators initially only had a blurry image from a neighbor’s surveillance system, but they managed to track the vehicle and its owner to a residence in Michigan. One of the victims, a 21-year-old male, told police that he had been talking to a woman online who lived in Michigan. They reportedly made plans for her to travel to Bensalem to meet for the first time. The woman’s ex-boyfriend, Harrison Jones, lives at the same address as the owner of the Volkswagen.

Bensalem Police worked with the Kent County Sheriff’s Office in Michigan, who obtained a search warrant for Jones' house. Detectives located lock-picking devices, a phone, and a computer. Jones reportedly had burn marks on his skin as well.

Deputies took him into custody, and the Bensalem Police Department issued an arrest warrant for six counts of attempted criminal homicide, six counts of recklessly endangering another person, four counts of arson, one count of reckless burning or exploding, one count of criminal mischief, and one count of possession an instrument of crime with intent.

Bensalem Police allege Jones traveled over 700 miles and 11 hours in each direction "to commit crimes that nearly cost six people their lives."

Jones is still awaiting extradition from Michigan to Pennsylvania.

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