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Friday, nov 22
Tag:
Arson
Police & Fire
Deputy Fire Chief In Maryland Accused Of Setting Blaze He Helped Extinguish
A Cecil County fire official has been arrested for allegedly setting a brushfire on the property of a local addiction treatment center, leaving a community stunned. Robert "Bobby" Bennett, 39, the deputy fire chief of Hacks Point Volunteer Fire Company, was taken into custody Tuesday morning after investigators identified him as the person allegedly responsible for a blaze earlier this month, according to the Maryland Fire Marshal. The incident occurred on Tuesday, Nov. 4 when a brushfire burned two acres of land on Grove Neck Road at the Recovery Centers of America’s property, officials sa…
Police & Fire
Serial Arsonist Telling Tall Tales Admits To Setting Series Of Maryland Fires: State's Attorney
A firebug responsible for a series of arson incidents in Montgomery County has copped to the crime and faces up to 80 years in prison, according to the state's attorney's office. Fernando Herrera-Rivera, 24, pleaded guilty this week to four counts of second-degree arson in connection to multiple incidents reported in September 2023. Specifically, Herrera-Rivera admitted to lighting fires involving: A vehicle along Russell Avenue; A Gaithersburg Police Department building on Fulks Corner; A beer and wine store in the 400 block of South Frederick Avenue; A market in the 400 block…
Police & Fire
Estranged Boyfriend Set Fire To Ex's Mercedes In Maryland, Marshal Says
The man responsible for setting a woman's Mercedes on fire has been arrested, officials say. Crews from the Hagerstown Fire Department responded at approximately 5:15 a.m. on Sept. 8 to the 1000 block of Security Road to investigate a reported car fire. Firefighters responded to the scene, where they found the fire was already extinguished, though the vehicle suffered significant damage. The aftermath of the fire in Washington County. Office Of The Maryland State Fire Marshal According to investigators from the Maryland Fire Marshal, the cause of the fire was determined to be incen…
Police & Fire
Murderer Who Threatened To Torch Maryland Townhouse Sentenced For Arson, Probation Violation
A firebug who violated the terms of his probation on a murder conviction is going to spend the rest of his life in prison after setting fire to a Maryland townhouse during a dispute last year. Byron Alton Bowie, Jr., who was convicted of murder in 1992, was sentenced to 30 years in prison following an arson incident in Frederick last year when he threatened to "burn everything down and kill everyone inside," authorities announced. Neighbors said that there was an altercation involving Bowie in November 2023, who was locked out of a townhouse, and he was then spotted on the back deck shoutin…
Police & Fire
Man Threatened To Burn Down Washington County Home During Dispute With Landlords: Fire Marshal
A dispute between a landlord and tenant turned fiery and landed one man behind bars in Washington County after he threatened to burn down the home he was renting, according to the Maryland Fire Marshal. Randy Sigler, 65, who was renting a home in Hagerstown, is facing up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine for threatening arson during a dispute with his landlord and her husband. Officials say that shortly after 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 17, members of the Washington County Sheriff's Office responded to a home in the 13600 block of Grandview Drive to investigate a reported dispute between …
Police & Fire
Man Serving Time Faces New Charges For Auto Shop Arson, Stolen Truck In Maryland: Sheriff
The man who set a Maryland auto shop on fire and stole a pick-up truck that was later found parked in the Potomac River has been apprehended in Frederick County, authorities announced. In late May, first responders were called to Hi Lo Auto Sales in the 5000 block of Urbana Pike, where there was a reported fire and theft at the business. The incident was reported shortly before 3 a.m. on Wednesday, May 29. According to the Frederick County Sheriff's Office, upon arrival, fire crews were met by smoke coming from the building, and it was later determined that it was a case of arson by the fi…
Police & Fire
Man Threatening To Blow Up, Burn Down Maryland Motel 6 Arrested: Fire Marshal
A 28-year-old man threatened to blow up a Maryland hotel he was staying at that led to a temporary evacuation, according to the fire marshal. Hagerstown resident Michael Sean Hafer is facing charges after being arrested for threatening to blow up and burn down the Motel 6 he was staying at in the 11300 block of Massey Boulevard. Additionally, investigators say that he also told guests he was making pipe bombs to carry out the nefarious - and hollow - scheme. At around 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 7, members of the Washington County Sheriff's Office were called to the hotel when Hafer made …
News
Maryland Man Setting Fire To Bags, Boxes Of Feces Arrested For Domino's Blaze In Carroll County
A 59-year-old man familiar with police for setting small fires in Carroll County involving boxes or bags of feces has been arrested for a new blaze at a Westminster Domino's location. What started as an investigation into a man breaking into parked vehicles at an auto repair shop on Saturday led to the arrest of George Cook, who was arrested over the weekend after being busted setting a fire in the back of the pizza joint. At around 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3, officers were called after a witness spotted Cook breaking into vehicles and then setting the fire behind the building. While in…
Police & Fire
Known Arsonist Set Commercial Storage Trailer Ablaze In Maryland: Fire Marshal
A man known to set several trash fires earlier this week is accused of escalating matters in Carroll County after allegedly setting a storage trailer ablaze. The Maryland Fire Marshal announced on Saturday that Joseph Affayroux, 42, has been arrested and now faces arson and other charges in connection to a fire that was knocked down by the Reese Volunteer Fire Company and other nearby agencies on Friday afternoon. Joseph Affayroux Office Of The Maryland State Fire Marshal Shortly after 4 p.m. on July 12, crews were called to the 3100 block of Baltimore Boulevard in Finksb…
Police & Fire
Firebug Burned Down Former Meadow View Swim Club Buildings In Maryland, Fire Marshal Says
The former Meadow View Swim Club in Carroll County was the target of a reported incendiary fire on Saturday morning, officials say. At approximately 10:30 a.m. on July 6, crews were called to the 3600 block of Littlestown Pike in Westminster, where the owners reported a fire involving two separate vacant wood-framed structures on the property. According to fire officials, the property was known as the former Meadow View Swim Club, and it was later determined by investigators that the blaze was intentionally set. Earlier today station 6 units were alerted on Box alarm 6-09 for a reporte…
Police & Fire
Incendiary Fires Reported At Gambrill State Park In Maryland
An alleged arsonist is at large after intentionally setting incendiary fires at Gambrill State Park, according to the Maryland Fire Marshal. Shortly before 1 a.m. on Monday, July 1, investigators say that thy found a plastic portable toilet and State Park signage damaged by what was described as "malicious burning. The fires were reported by a passerby. According to the fire marshal, unknown suspects attempted to burn down the toilet and sign at the trailhead of the State Park using combustibles, though it is unclear who is responsible. The incident caused an estimated $1,000 in damage. I…
News
Amply-Armed Employee Threatened To Blow Up Maryland Vehicle Administration Building: Officials
A well-armed employee who threatened to blow up the Maryland Vehicle Administration (MVA) building has been arrested and is facing multiple charges, according to the state fire marshal. Hagerstown resident Anthony Jacob Fritz, 38 - an employee of the MVA on Colonel Henry K. Douglas Drive - found himself in hot water with the police on Friday after allegedly making threats of mass violence. Investigators say that on Friday morning, co-workers approached a Maryland State Police trooper to advise that Fritz claimed he was going to bomb their building. Following an investigation, the&nbs…
Police & Fire
Accused Arsonist Firebombed Maryland Home With Molotov Cocktail: Fire Marshal
An alleged arsonist who firebombed a Cecil County home is facing attempted murder and other charges following an incident in March, the Maryland Fire Marshal announced on Tuesday. Christopher J. Shivery, 41, was arrested on June 11 following a months-long investigation into a North East house fire that was intentionally set by a "Molotov cocktail," officials say. Shortly before 10 p.m. on March 2, Maryland State Police troopers were called to the 1290 block of Old Philadelphia Road when the homeowners saw a flash outside their window and found flames burning outside. Fire investigators lat…
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