Bensalem firefighter charged in assault of teen

BENSALEM, Pa. (WPVI) -- Police in Bensalem, Bucks County have charged a firefighter with various counts following the alleged assault of a teenage girl.

21-year-old Shane McMichael of Northeast Philadelphia is behind bars, held on $2 million bail.

Police say Sunday night the volunteer firefighter dressed up in all black with a mask covering his face, and broke into a home on the 2500 block of Forrest Avenue in Bensalem Township where a 17-year-old girl recently moved in with her grandparents.

Director of Public Safety Fred Harran says, "He had tied one of the rooms closed where the grandparents were sleeping so that they couldn't get out, and then assaulted - physically assaulted a 17-year-old girl, beating her up pretty good."

The victim recognized her attacker. They used to live in the same Philadelphia neighborhood.

When she yelled his name, police say McMichael stopped beating her up and agreed to allow her to go wash her face.

When she didn't come back from the bathroom, police say, McMichael fled. They caught up with him at his home. Officers saw a rifle, black clothing, and black rope on the front seat of his Jeep.

He was taken into custody and apparently gave police a variety of explanations that didn't make much sense.

"His story is crazy. It looks like this guy's just a whack job," Harran said.

McMichael has been suspended from his job as a volunteer firefighter with the Cornwells Fire Company.

Neighbors said the victim's grandparents are kind and well respected. They were surprised when we told them what happened at the home Sunday night.

Nicholas Micciolo reacted by telling us, "Crazy... It's pretty strange. I know him very well. I know the family, and I know his granddaughter. It was definitely different. Definitely for this area."

And neighbor Kay Chapin said, "Quiet neighborhood. Very quiet, very quiet up in here. I am surprised we didn't all hear about it."

Police say they don't know of any connection between McMichael and the teen victim other than the fact that they lived in the same neighborhood years ago.

McMichael is being held in the Bucks County Prison.