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Arsonist Behind Fiery Explosions During Maryland Robberies Faces Life In Prison: Feds Arsonist Behind Fiery Explosions During Maryland Robberies Faces Life In Prison: Feds
Arsonist Behind Fiery Explosions During Maryland Robberies Faces Life In Prison: Feds A Maryland man has been convicted of using explosives to set fire to 7-Eleven stores in a scheme to rob cash registers and steal from ATMs, federal prosecutors announced. After a five-day trial, a federal jury found Stephen Kennedy, 33, of Temple Hills, guilty of multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit arson, commercial robbery, and carrying an explosive device during a felony, authorities said. Investigators say Kennedy and his co-conspirator, Donnell Kelly, carried out a dangerous plan between January 2021 and January 2022, targeting 7-Eleven locations in Maryland while they were…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Woman Who Torched Estranged BF's Home Slapped With Arson Charge In Maryland: Officials Woman Who Torched Estranged BF's Home Slapped With Arson Charge In Maryland: Officials
Woman Who Torched Estranged BF's Home Slapped With Arson Charge In Maryland: Officials A Maryland woman is facing serious prison time after being indicted on arson charges for allegedly torching her estranged boyfriend’s home last October, authorities announced. Heather Lynn Hutcheson, 43, of Frostburg was arrested Tuesday, Jan. 28, after a months-long investigation concluded she was responsible for the blaze in Allegany County, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office. Firefighters responded from the Shaft Fire Department and other nearby agencies responded to the home in the 11200 block o Upper Georges Creek Road in Frostburg around 1:15 p.m. on Oct. 13, 2024, …

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
'Itty Bitty Pieces:' Woman Threatens To Blow Maryland Churches Into Smithereens, Officials Say 'Itty Bitty Pieces:' Woman Threatens To Blow Maryland Churches Into Smithereens, Officials Say
'Itty Bitty Pieces:' Woman Threatens To Blow Maryland Churches Into Smithereens, Officials Say A Maryland woman is behind bars after a joint investigation revealed she made alarming online threats against multiple churches and their pastors in Washington County. On Sunday, Jan. 26, investigators from the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Hagerstown Fire Marshal's Office arrested Salamah Bassem Audi, 35, following a week-long investigation into threatening messages posted on an online blog. The threats targeted Gateway Experience Church in Williamsport, The City of God in Hagerstown, and their pastors.  In one post, Audi threatened to blow up a pastor “into itty bitty pie…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Mailbox Explosions Shake Maryland Neighborhoods Overnight: Fire Marshal Mailbox Explosions Shake Maryland Neighborhoods Overnight: Fire Marshal
Mailbox Explosions Shake Maryland Neighborhoods Overnight: Fire Marshal Investigators are calling for community assistance following a series of explosive mailbox incidents that rocked neighborhoods in Manchester and Westminster over the weekend, officials in Carroll County announced. The string of explosions came to light Sunday, Jan. 12, after the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a damaged mailbox in the 3000 block of Traceys Mill Road.  What started as a single complaint quickly escalated, with investigators uncovering eight additional incidents scattered across the area, including the 4000 block of Wentz Road in Manchester and t…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Social Media Clue Cracks Case Of Arson At Maryland Church: Fire Marshal Social Media Clue Cracks Case Of Arson At Maryland Church: Fire Marshal
Social Media Clue Cracks Case Of Arson At Maryland Church: Fire Marshal An investigator randomly scrolling through Facebook was key in apprehending a man who set a tree ablaze at a Maryland church last month, according to the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Shortly after 5 p.m. on Dec. 9, first responders were called to the Radiant Life Church in Cumberland, when a tree was found burning outside, which was extinguished within minutes. An investigation led by the Cumberland Fire Marshal's Office determined the fire was intentionally set, prompting assistance from the State Fire Marshal, who were able to obtain surveillance footage that captured the suspect in …

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Maryland Man Charged With Arson After Vehicle Torched In Parking Garage: Fire Officials Maryland Man Charged With Arson After Vehicle Torched In Parking Garage: Fire Officials
Maryland Man Charged With Arson After Vehicle Torched In Parking Garage: Fire Officials More than a month after a vehicle was torched in Montgomery County, authorities announced that a suspect has been taken into custody. Edward Kamara, 27, has been arrested following an investigation into an incident reported late on Tuesday, Nov. 19 in the 9700 block of Key West Avenue that caused upwards of $40,000 in damage to a vehicle parked in an area garage. Kamara was arrested at his home in Lanham, according to a Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesperson said, where he was charged with:  Second-degree arson; First-degree malicious burning; Malicious destruction. He is rep…

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by Zak Failla
News
Arsonist Who Killed Mother, Toddler In Maryland Townhome Over Housing Dispute Learns Fate Arsonist Who Killed Mother, Toddler In Maryland Townhome Over Housing Dispute Learns Fate
Arsonist Who Killed Mother, Toddler In Maryland Townhome Over Housing Dispute Learns Fate The Maryland man who burned down a home that resulted in the death of his girlfriend and her toddler daughter may spend the rest of his life in prison, the Charles County State's Attorney's Office announced. Vincent Anthony Fisher, II, 49, was convicted in September following a near two-week trial for his role in a fatal incident in March 2022 that resulted in the deaths of Rashawn Cline and Dashawn Cline. On Monday, Dec. 23, authorities announced that Fisher has been sentenced to 104 years in prison. During sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney Jonathan Beattie told the judge, “Ther…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Small Fire, Big Questions: Molotov Cocktail To Blame For Blaze At MD Business: Fire Marshal Small Fire, Big Questions: Molotov Cocktail To Blame For Blaze At MD Business: Fire Marshal
Small Fire, Big Questions: Molotov Cocktail To Blame For Blaze At MD Business: Fire Marshal A Molotov cocktail was to blame for a small fire that was reported overnight at a Harford County business, investigators say. Members of the Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company were called shortly before midnight on Saturday to Precision Tune Auto Care in the 1800 block of Precision Tune Auto Care in Edgewood, when an alarm company alerted them to a fire in the building. Upon arrival, crews found a small fire in the office area of the business, which was knocked down within minutes, though approximately $5,000 in damage was caused. No injuries were reported. According to the Maryland Fi…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Flannel-Wearing Firestarter Sought After $50K Maryland Business Blaze: Fire Marshal Flannel-Wearing Firestarter Sought After $50K Maryland Business Blaze: Fire Marshal
Flannel-Wearing Firestarter Sought After $50K Maryland Business Blaze: Fire Marshal Fire investigators are turning to the public for help identifying the suspect who set a Cumberland tire shop ablaze early Saturday morning, causing $50,000 in damages. The fire broke out around 4:42 a.m. at D&K Tires on Greene Street after surveillance footage captured the suspect igniting a flammable device on a window air conditioning unit. Cumberland Fire Department crews arrived at the two-bay auto repair shop to find flames shooting from a window. Firefighters contained the blaze to an office area, but smoke, soot, and water damage spread throughout the business. Video surveillanc…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Deputy Fire Chief In Maryland Accused Of Setting Blaze He Helped Extinguish Deputy Fire Chief In Maryland Accused Of Setting Blaze He Helped Extinguish
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…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Serial Arsonist Telling Tall Tales Admits To Setting Series Of Maryland Fires: State's Attorney Serial Arsonist Telling Tall Tales Admits To Setting Series Of Maryland Fires: State's Attorney
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…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Estranged Boyfriend Set Fire To Ex's Mercedes In Maryland, Marshal Says Estranged Boyfriend Set Fire To Ex's Mercedes In Maryland, Marshal Says
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…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Convicted Murderer Who Threatened To Torch Frederick County Townhouse Sentenced For Arson Convicted Murderer Who Threatened To Torch Frederick County Townhouse Sentenced For Arson
Convicted Murderer Who Threatened To Torch Frederick County Townhouse Sentenced For Arson 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…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Man Threatened To Burn Down Maryland Home During Dispute With Landlords: Fire Marshal Man Threatened To Burn Down Maryland Home During Dispute With Landlords: Fire Marshal
Man Threatened To Burn Down Maryland 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 …

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Man Serving Time Faces New Charges For Auto Shop Arson, Stolen Truck In Frederick: Sheriff Man Serving Time Faces New Charges For Auto Shop Arson, Stolen Truck In Frederick: Sheriff
Man Serving Time Faces New Charges For Auto Shop Arson, Stolen Truck In Frederick: 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…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Man Threatening To Blow Up, Burn Down Maryland Motel 6 Arrested: Fire Marshal Man Threatening To Blow Up, Burn Down Maryland Motel 6 Arrested: Fire Marshal
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 …

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by Zak Failla
News
Maryland Man Setting Fire To Bags, Boxes Of Feces Arrested For Domino's Blaze In Carroll County Maryland Man Setting Fire To Bags, Boxes Of Feces Arrested For Domino's Blaze In Carroll County
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…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Known Arsonist Set Commercial Storage Trailer Ablaze In Maryland: Fire Marshal Known Arsonist Set Commercial Storage Trailer Ablaze In Maryland: Fire Marshal
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…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Firebug Burned Down Former Meadow View Swim Club Buildings In Maryland, Fire Marshal Says Firebug Burned Down Former Meadow View Swim Club Buildings In Maryland, Fire Marshal Says
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…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Incendiary Fires Reported At Gambrill State Park In Maryland Incendiary Fires Reported At Gambrill State Park In Maryland
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…

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by Zak Failla
News
Amply-Armed Employee Threatened To Blow Up Maryland Vehicle Administration Building: Officials Amply-Armed Employee Threatened To Blow Up Maryland Vehicle Administration Building: Officials
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…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Accused Arsonist Firebombed Maryland Home With Molotov Cocktail: Fire Marshal Accused Arsonist Firebombed Maryland Home With Molotov Cocktail: Fire Marshal
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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by Zak Failla