The details of how Bristol Township authorities discovered Shayne Holland set fire to the Bucks County Carpet Company in Croydon were obtained by Lower Bucks Source Tuesday.
According to the criminal complaint, Bristol Township Fire Marshal Kevin Dippolito’s quest for any and all video footage from multiple locations was a key factor in determining Holland’s identity.
Moments after the fire, Dippolito said it was “intentionally set.”
Video surveillance from multiple angles on November 5, the morning of the fire, show a white male, with facial hair, wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt, black tee-shirt underneath and wearing black crocs, setting the fire. Holland, authorities wrote in court papers, is seen on cameras walking down State Road, approaching a pile of trash behind the garbage can belonging to the carpet company located at 801 Cedar Avenue and lighting it on fire, according to police.
Subsequently the set fire spreads to the building, police say, as Holland and another man are seen walking down State Rd. Video footage follows them all the way to the Sunoco station on State Rd. with a clearer vantage point capturing the two entering the mini mart.
Using still images, police said in court papers, Bristol and Bensalem Township authorities were able to locate Holland’s and the unidentified male’s social media accounts positively identifying the alleged fire bug. Further confirmation of Holland’s identity came as a result of a Bensalem Twp Police vehicle stop, in the spring, where he’s seen on police body cam footage, the criminal complaint says.
Credit: Liz Wallace
The probable cause also details the circumstances around Croydon Fire Captain Albert Fournier falling through the attic ceiling while fighting the fire due to the weakening of the structure from the fire. He fell 12 feet, officials said, and was transported to Jefferson Torresdale by Bensalem EMS where he was treated and released.
Police spoke with the carpet company owner who told police damages to the building are still being evaluated but currently exceeds S20,000
Holland, as of publication time, does not have an attorney of record and is currently scheduled to appear in Bristol Borough District Court on January 10, 2024.
He was taken into custody, four weeks after an arrest warrant was issued for him, on December 29. Bail was set at $250,000/10% and was remanded to the Bucks County Correctional Facility.
He is charged with five arson counts and related offenses.
Credit: Joanne Ames, Lower Bucks Source