A Michigan man, Harrison Jones, has been charged with attempted murder and arson after allegedly driving 740 miles to set a fire at the home of a man with whom his ex-girlfriend was planning to meet. The fire resulted in significant damage and endangered the lives of a family of six in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, although all members managed to escape without serious injuries. The incident took place in the early hours of February 10, when the family was awakened by a barking dog and a disturbance downstairs. After investigating, they saw a hooded figure near their home, which was soon engulfed in flames.
The fire left the family with injuries, including severe smoke inhalation, though none were life-threatening. Tragically, both family dogs died in the fire. The family later informed the police that the man whose house was targeted had been communicating with a woman online from Michigan and was about to meet her in person for the first time. They were unaware that the woman’s “good friend” driving her from Michigan was Harrison Jones, who had been plotting the attack from afar.
Police quickly began an investigation, using surveillance footage from homes near the scene. One video showed a person getting out of a black Volkswagen, which was later linked to Jones. This individual approached the house, retrieved something from the trunk, and then returned to set the home on fire. The fire started shortly after the person fled the scene. Further investigation revealed that Jones’ car was tracked by traffic cameras, and the vehicle’s registration matched that of one owned by Jones’ family.
A search warrant was executed at Jones’ home in Michigan, where authorities found evidence linking him to the crime. Items such as burn cream, gauze, and a lock-picking kit were discovered, along with the same black Volkswagen parked in the driveway. Jones’ father reported that he had used a phone-tracking app, which showed Jones was in Pennsylvania just two hours after the fire started. When authorities questioned Jones, they noticed fresh burns on his forearm, which he denied having received from the fire. He also denied ever being in Pennsylvania, despite the overwhelming evidence against him.
Jones was arrested and is currently awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania. He faces 13 felony charges, including six counts of attempted criminal homicide, four counts of arson, and other related offenses. The investigation highlights the extent to which Jones went to target the family of someone he perceived as a romantic rival, including driving a long distance to commit a violent act in an attempt to sabotage his ex-girlfriend’s new relationship.
