SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Police say the University Mall in South Burlington was vandalized early Monday morning and they have arrested a suspect.
Investigators say William Cole, 38, of Johnson, broke into the mall and caused thousands of dollars in damage.
Our cameras captured video on the back side of the mall where you can see a broken door and blood on the ground.
Police say they got a call from employees who noticed smoke inside the mall.
When officers arrived, they found Cole inside and arrested him.
“The South Burlington Fire Department was also called to the scene as the subject had lit some material on fire inside the mall. While he was there, he not only lit that fire but also did some extensive damage to the interior of the mall and was subsequently arrested for arson and burglary,” South Burlington Deputy Police Chief Sean Briscoe said.
The University Mall says the building is temporarily closed. There’s no word yet on when it will reopen.
Cole is due in court on Monday afternoon.
Cole was arrested in November, accused of attempting to set a business on fire in Essex Junction. Essex Police said when they arrived at that scene, Cole was standing outside with his hands in the air and said, “I just want to go back to jail.” Essex Police say since 2000, Cole has been a person of interest in multiple arson cases across Vermont.