Hatboro Firefighter Pleads Guilty to Felony Arson

Eric Robertson, 29, of Rorer Avenue in Hatboro, has been charged for setting fire to a Kohl's where he worked as a security officer in May 2017.

Robertson claimed he discovered the fire in a small utility room where he worked as a security officer. Several stuffed animals were burned by Robertson, he then put the flames out with a fire extinguisher and alerted authorities.

Robertson's accounts of the event kept changing, and did not match up with video surveillance evidence. He was later fired for not cooperating with police, including initially refusing to turn over the store surveillance footage of the event which was in his care at the time. Robertson eventually turned some footage over to police, but not all of it, saying the DVD burner had ‘stopped working’.

In June 2017, police spoke with Robertson's supervisor, Marc Scholl, who told police that on the night of the fire, Robertson was "nervous and excitable". He then advised police that Robertson was lying and he never received any notice from Robertson about the DVD burner being broken or needing repair.

When Robertson was questioned again several weeks later, he then told police the video they requested had been taped over.

Robertson eventually pleaded guilty on Monday to Felony Reckless Burning or Exploding (18 § 3301 §§ D2).

Due to Robertson’s odd behavior, Judge Harry M. Ness also ordered Robertson to undergo a mental health evaluation.

Robertson was a volunteer with the Enterprise Fire Co. of Hatboro according to their website.