Hillsborough Man Indicted for 2009 Fox Chase Run Fire

A Hillsborough man, who is accused of setting fire to what he thought was the house of an ex-girlfriend's new love, was indicted by a Somerset Grand Jury on Wednesday.

According to a statement from the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office, David J. Bednar, 20, of Manor Drive, was indicted for second-degree aggravated arson, for the 2009 incident and faces five to 10 years in state prison if convicted.  

According to the prosecutor's office, Hillsborough Township Police investigated a house fire on Sept. 20, 2009 when gasoline was poured on the exterior gas meter of 43 Fox Chase Run. The homeowner, who was home during the fire at 6 a.m., and several neighbors were able to extinguish the fire before it spread, according to the prosecutor's office.

The investigation revealed that Bednar had been upset with his ex-girlfriend and allegedly set the fire as retaliation against his ex-girlfriend's current boyfriend, the prosecutor's office stated.  The investigation revealed that Bednar allegedly set fire to the residence adjacent to the boyfriend's house, targeting the wrong residence.

Assistant Prosecutor Frank P. Kolodzieski, II handled the case for the state.