Juvenile Arrested for Arson in Laurel - Officials Still Searching for Other Arsonist

                 MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930

Prince George’s County Fire Investigators in conjunction with the County Police Department announced today the arrest of a juvenile in connection with an intentionally set fire in Laurel.


On Tuesday, April 9, at around 10:20 pm, an individual is alleged to have intentionally set a fire in Laurel. The fire was set to a door mat of a first floor apartment located in the 8700 block of Contee Road.

Within 24 hours of the incident County Police Officers stopped an individual believed to have been connected to a vandalism complaint that occurred in the same area of the fires Tuesday night. Police officers detained this individual so that fire investigators could question him. Investigators from the Fire/EMS Departments Office of the Fire Marshal questioned the teenaged suspect and based on his statements, arrested him the following day. The teenager has been charged with First Degree Arson. Additional charges are pending against this person as the investigation remains open and on-going. The identity of the person is not being released because he is a juvenile.

The quick arrest is a direct result of the increased enforcement efforts in the Laurel area where public safety officials are searching for a suspect responsible for over $600,000 in fire loss caused by recent intentionally set fires.

Fire Investigators do not believe that this person is involved in seven set fires in the Laurel area and at this time is not considered a suspect. Investigators are still in need of additional information from the community about who may be responsible for the other crimes of arson occurring in the month of March. The City of Laurel is offering up to a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible. Call the Arson Tip Line at 301-77-ARSON (27766) with whatever information you may have.
For additional information on these incidents click on this link:
http://pgfdpio.blogspot.com/2013/04/fire-investigation-expands-in-laurel.html

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