A 33-year-old man was arrested early Monday morning after breaking into an on-campus student apartment, attempting to set a fire and assaulting police officers.

Lauren Barker, senior media relations strategist at NC State, said in an email to Technician that University police responded to E.S. King Apartments around 1:30 a.m. on Jan. 6 for a fire alarm activation.

“Upon arrival, two residents told officers that an unknown male had entered their apartment without permission,” Barker wrote. “As officers approached the residence, the suspect ran from the area and became combative as officers initiated his arrest.”

Barker said after the suspect attempted to escape the scene he was put under arrest in the Wolf Village Parking lot, causing officers on the scene to receive minor injuries. 

WRAL reported that the suspect, identified as Zachary Watkins of Carrboro, broke into an apartment in Chowan Hall where two female students were sleeping. Watkins allegedly set fire to the bathroom, triggering the fire alarm.

The students said Watkins displayed incoherent behavior around the crime scene, broke into their dorm room, took off his clothes and placed a pocket knife on one of the beds.  

Warrants accessed by WRAL claimed Watkins assaulted three officers in his attempt to flee by throwing a fire extinguisher at them, kicking them and grabbing one by the neck.

Watkins faces five felony charges and is being held without bond according to WRAL.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact NC State Police.