Man Admits To Church Arson, Community Vandalism Spree

A Falls Township man this week admitted to setting a fire in a local church, slashing tires on his neighbor’s cars, and vandalizing public parks and schools, according to information from the Bucks County District Attorney’s office.

John P. Serina Jr., 34, pleaded guilty to arson, institutional vandalism, criminal mischief, loitering and prowling and possession of controlled substances and drug paraphernalia. The charges stem from a crime spree that began in April and continued through June. 

According to officials, Serine admitted to setting fires in and around Restoration Church on Pinewood Drive before dawn on April 19.

“A cross was ablaze in the yard in front of the church, playground equipment and mulch were burning to the side, and a bathroom in the basement of the church was on fire,” the district attorney’s office said.

Serina also confessed to several episodes of vandalism, all of which had happened not far from his home. The incidents include:

• On May 17, the tires of 18 vehicles were punctured in Serina’s neighborhood. Serina told police he had damaged the tires while walking his dog.
• On May 21, two signs, a slide, a park bench and a chain-link fence had been defaced with spray paint at the Pinewood Community pool near Serina’s home.
• Also on May 21, the outside wall of the Walt Disney Elementary School library and the playground area had been spray-painted with graffiti. School workers discovered three spray-paint cans on the roof of the school. Two of the three cans were found to have been purchased at a nearby Walmart store. Police obtained store surveillance video showing a man resembling Serina purchasing the cans of paint and leaving the parking lot in a white SUV, according to the District Attorney’s office.
• On June 9, Walt Disney Elementary was vandalized again, this time with graffiti on windows, doors and a lamp pole.
• On June 10 police received a report that an air compressor and a garage door at Pinewood Community Pool had been spray-painted with graffiti.

Serina will be sentenced in February and could face three to six years in state prison, followed by six years of probation.