PA Man Charged in String of Arsons

A Harrisburg man who is already facing arson charges will now have to answer for a rash of fires police say he started in Upper and Lower Allen townships.

Brian R. Mullins, 35, was charged Monday with nine felony counts of arson, two felony counts of criminal mischief and eight misdemeanor counts of loitering and prowling at night after police say he intentionally set numerous fires near the Rossmoyne Business Park in the 5000 block of Louise Drive in Lower Allen Township.

The fires began in January with multiple Dumpsters being set ablaze, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed by Lower Allen Township Police.

Mullins moved on to field fires and set a nearby shed on fire before igniting a home in the 5000 block of Ravenwood Road in the early morning hours of June 12, police said.

The home was a new construction and was vacant at the time of fire. However, police said the home was a total loss.

Mullins was caught on July 3 setting a tree on fire near his place of employment in the business park, after he was seen by a Lower Allen Township Police officer who was conducting surveillance of the area in light of the fires, according to police.

Police were able to tie Mullins to many of the fires through a check of his work history and by burnt trash that was found at the scenes, police said.

The trash was identified as coming from a Dumpster at the business park, according to police.

Mullins was released on July 3 after posting $50,000 bail and will remain out of jail having been given $50,000 unsecured bail in the current case, according to court records.

Preliminary hearings in both cases are scheduled for 2:15 p.m. Sept. 8 in front of Magisterial District Judge Charles Clement Jr.

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