Man accused of breaking into dorm at Jewish university, setting fires

A man has been arrested after he allegedly broke into a dorm at a Jewish university in New York City and set fires while students slept. 

Peter Weyand, 33, was arrested and charged with arson, burglary with criminal intent, reckless endangerment of property, criminal mischief, criminal trespass and aggravated harassment in connection with an incident at Yeshiva University, according to a statement from the city’s fire department. 

Authorities said that Weyland broke into Yeshiva’s Schottenstein Residence early Friday and used matches meant to light a Hanukkah menorah to set three separate fires. 

There were no injures, according to the Fire Department of New York (FDNY). A department spokesperson told The Hill in an email that there was no indication of a hate crime.

A law enforcement source told The Hill that the suspect is believed to have been under the influence of narcotics at the time of the incident. 

“Attacking any religious institution is a serious crime and we have zero tolerance for acts of arson in this city,” FDNY Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro said in a statement. “Thanks to the thorough investigative work of our Fire Marshals, a dangerous individual has been quickly apprehended.”

The department released a video of a person appearing to kick and then crawl through a door. Fires are not visible in the clip. 

FDNY Fire Marshals have arrested Peter Weyand, age 33, for breaking into the Yeshiva University Schottenstein Residence and using matches intended for a Chanukah menorah to set three separate fires in the building. Read more: https://t.co/Rfn0aYyFZP pic.twitter.com/bQMlxzlJTX

— FDNY (@FDNY) December 20, 2019