A man aged 57 has admitted to setting fire to a popular brewery in Prince George, B.C., resulting in its destruction on September 5, 2025. CrossRoads Brewing and Distillery, located on George Street near Prince George City Hall, was completely razed in the early-morning blaze last autumn.
Initially pleading not guilty to arson causing damage to property, Richard Titchener, the accused, changed his plea to guilty on Monday. A Supreme Court judge has now requested a pre-sentencing report for Titchener, with his next court appearance scheduled for April 7.
Last year, the owners of CrossRoads Brewing informed the city council that they would not consider rebuilding unless significant changes were made to the neighborhood. The brewery had been a vital establishment in downtown Prince George since its establishment in 2017.
Following the fire, an annual late-summer street festival organized by CrossRoads Brewing had to be canceled. The event, intended to feature live music and games around the brewery’s vicinity, could not proceed due to the destruction.
Subsequent to the incident, a rally advocating for enhanced public safety in Prince George took place, leading to an increase in RCMP patrols in the downtown area to address community concerns. Prince George RCMP Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, following Titchener’s arrest, revealed that he was a well-known resident to the local police force. The successful arson investigation was supported by video surveillance footage supplied by nearby businesses.