2010 News

February 9, 2010

Bucks County Fire Marshal Investigation Leads to Arrest Of Alleged Arsonist

Southampton resident Dr. Jon Wiktorchik, the owner of Upper Bucks Chiropractic Center, was arrested yesterday by federal authorities and the Upper Southampton Police Department on federal charges. Dr. Wiktorchik was charged with offenses relating to a March 30, 2008 fire that destroyed an Upper Bucks County shopping center located at 2544 Mountain View Road, Ottsville, in Nockamixon Township, Pennsylvania.

According to Special Agent Michael Haggerty of the Philadelphia Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, Fire Marshal Rafferty and Assistant Fire Marshal Mark Kramer were integral to this arrest for their role at the scene and during the subsequent investigation.

Dr. Wiktorchik was charged with two counts of arson (malicious destruction by means of a fire of a building affecting interstate commerce and use of a fire to commit another federal felony), three counts of false statements, mail fraud and obstruction of the administration of the Internal Revenue Code.

The shopping center housed five businesses that included the Valley Auto Supply (NAPA), Ink Addictions, Upper Bucks Chiropractic, The Sportsman’s Table, and E-Clips. All five businesses were destroyed by the fire, which burned through the night into the morning following an explosion. The blaze was fought by the Ottsville Fire Company, with assistance from multiple fire companies in the area.

Bucks County Chief Fire Marshal Nicholas Rafferty stated the fire was investigated by the Bucks County Fire Marshal’s Office along with the Pennsylvania State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms ATF’s Fire / Arson Task Force out of Philadelphia. The fire was deemed arson on the day of the fire and follow-up investigations led federal law enforcement authorities to today’s arrest.

Dr. Wiktorchik was arraigned this week in Federal Court, Philadelphia.