A Poconos man waived a preliminary hearing Thursday on arson and related charges for a fire inside a Springfield Target over the summer.

Eric Baeta, 21, Brodheadsville, entered a straight waiver of all charges, which also include causing or risking a catastrophe, criminal mischief, possessing an instrument of crime, reckless endangerment, retail theft and disorderly conduct in the June 23 incident at Target West by the Springfield Mall.

The Springfield Fire Company and police were called out to the store at about 2:30 p.m. after a person saw a display rack in the bath department on fire. The Target was evacuated and the fire soon dealt with.

Investigators found the fire had been set by a man who ran out of the store, who was quickly identified as Baeta. An arrest warrant was issued and

See Full Page