Homeless man charged with arson in Middletown fire at former Gilman’s Cleaners building
David Benedict, 49, is accused of using an accelerant to set several small fires inside the empty building on Dolson Avenue.
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Police in the city of Middletown say a homeless man is facing charges for allegedly breaking into the Old Gilman’s Cleaners building last week and setting fire to it.
David Benedict, 49, is accused of using an accelerant to set several small fires inside the empty building on Dolson Avenue June 23, at approximately 10:24 p.m. The building’s windows have since been boarded up and officials say there’s water and fire damage inside as a result.
Gilman’s Cleaners first opened in 1925 and closed after more than eight decades in business.
“It is unfortunate. People do crazy things,” says Jazmine Jamal, of Middletown.
Benedict was arrested last Wednesday and is charged with arson and burglary. He was remanded to Orange County Jail on $5,000 cash bail.
As News 12 reported, there was a separate fire in the city of Middletown later that night, which wasn’t suspicious but tired firefighters had to respond shortly after leaving the scene on Dolson Avenue.
Authorities haven’t released a motive, and no one was hurt.
“It’s sad,” says Jamal. “Hopefully he can get help because jail is not always the way.”
