WEST CHESTER, PA — Agustin Cisneros-Bedolla, 42, of West Grove, Pennsylvania, waived his preliminary hearing last Friday in Chester County, where he faces multiple charges, including attempted homicide, aggravated arson, and possession of weapons of mass destruction.
The charges stem from an alleged incident on March 1, 2025, at Squire’s Pantry, a business located on Gap Newport Pike in London Grove Township. According to the Pennsylvania State Police, Cisneros-Bedolla is accused of setting the establishment on fire while employees were inside, following an earlier purchase of a lighter and gum.
After his purchase, authorities allege that Cisneros-Bedolla returned to the store and demanded the keys to a vehicle parked outside while wielding a Molotov cocktail. The complaint states that he threatened to light the device and threw the flaming bottle toward store employees upon obtaining a set of spare keys. Although the keys reportedly malfunctioned, leaving him unable to take the vehicle, the fire quickly consumed the store.
Officials further allege that Cisneros-Bedolla attempted to carjack a bystander’s vehicle containing a passenger before fleeing the scene on foot. Witnesses told investigators that the suspect had been seen with gas canisters prior to the incident.
The Pennsylvania State Police Troop J Avondale Barracks conducted an extensive investigation with assistance from the Southern Chester County Regional Police Department. The following day, Cisneros-Bedolla was brought to law enforcement by a member of the public and was subsequently arrested.
Magisterial District Judge Matthew Seavey arraigned the defendant on March 2, 2025, with bail set at $2,000,000. Cisneros-Bedolla has since been held at Chester County Prison. With the waiver of his preliminary hearing, the case will now proceed to the Chester County Court of Common Pleas for the next stage of legal proceedings.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Michelle Frei and Assistant District Attorney Peter Johnsen have been assigned to prosecute the case. Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Pennsylvania State Police Troop J at (610) 268-2022.
All charges against Cisneros-Bedolla are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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