LYCOMING COUNTY, Pa. — Jacob Fichter, incensed at the spate of fires intentionally sparked around Williamsport earlier this month, told the police in Lycoming County he hoped to help by making a "citizens' arrest."
The only problem: the police say he was setting them.
Fichter, 22 years old, was arrested by Williamsport police Nov. 15 and accused of setting fire to four vehicles, a couch and a dumpster on Nov. 4 and Nov. 5, according to arrest paperwork.
Williamsport police found surveillance footage after the fires of a man, later identified as Fichter, riding his bike near the incidents.
Fichter tried to report his bicycle was stolen on Nov. 6. As he made the report, he told officers he wanted his bicycle back so he could help the police track down the arsonist and make a "citizens' arrest."
The police found Fichter's bicycle — which matched the type identified in the surveillance footage — during execution of a search warrant for Fichter's home and vehicle last week.
Fichter soon admitted to two of the fires, but said it was possible he caused the others because he "blacks out." During the search, the police also found sticks wrapped with paper tissue and kept next to a bottle of isopropyl alcohol.
Fichter is jailed at the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $200,000 and is awaiting a preliminary hearing tentatively scheduled Nov. 26 on several counts of arson and related offenses.