The Hanover Police Department arrested Vikram Naidu ’18 today on felony charges of arson and reckless misconduct in connection with the fire that occurred in Streeter Hall at 2:49 a.m. on Feb. 18, according to press release from the department. Two trash cans were intentionally set on fire during the incident.
Naidu was arrested on charges of one Class A felony count of arson and one Class B felony count of reckless conduct. Naidu was released on $5,000 cash bail as well as $25,000 on personal recognizance. His arraignment date is set for April 4 at 8:15 a.m. at the 2nd Circuit Court Lebanon Division.
The police are conducting the ongoing investigation with the New Hampshire State Fire Marshall’s office.
Safety and Security director Harry Kinne wrote in a campus wide email last Thursday that the incident had been labeled a felony arson.
New Hampshire criminal code RSA 634:1 classifies two categories of arson, Class A felony and a Class B felony. A Class A felony includes damaging property that is an occupied structure, which the actor was aware of, or a historic structure. Class B felonies include arson of either the actor or another’s property done for the purpose of collecting insurance on damaged property. Arson that involves real estate being damaged or loss in excess of $1,000 falls under the Class B category. Other arson is classified as a misdemeanor.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
