Crime & Safety
Bucks County Student Charged With Arson In Penn State Dorm Fire
Benjamin Bishop, 18, started a fire at his girlfriend's dorm Tuesday because an evacuation would 'annoy' her, authorities said.
An 18-year-old Penn State student from Bucks County is in Centre County jail on arson charges after police said he tried to set off a fire in a dorm to “annoy” his girlfriend, the Centre Daily Times reported.
According to the publication’s report, Benjamin Bishop of Doylestown burned paper and a pack of cigarettes near a stairwell in an attempt to trigger the alarm at his girlfriend’s dorm Tuesday evening.
Bishop turned himself to authorities later that day, saying he had a fight with his girlfriend and wanted to cause an evacuation to “annoy” her, the Centre Daily Times reported.
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Court records show Bishop faces four felony charges, including two arson-related charges, possession of an explosive and risking catastrophe.
Bishop’s preliminary hearing is Aug. 12. He remains in Centre County jail after being able to post bail, which was set at 10 percent of $100,000 bail.
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