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Teens charged in Bel Air fire and vandalism
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BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Three teens have been arrested on charges of setting a fire and vandalizing cars in Bel Air Friday, authorities said.
But the suspects are not believed to be connected to the string of almost 40 minor arsons in and around Bel Air since December, the State Fire Marshal’s Office said.
The three teens allegedly started throwing eggs and bottles at parked cars around 2 a.m. in the 1300 block of Saratoga Drive in Bel Air, said Joe Zurolo, deputy state fire marshal.
Firefighters found a large plastic garbage container had been set on fire in the middle of the road.
Witnesses led investigators to stop a green vehicle near Ring Factory Road and Route 24.
Two 16-year-olds and one 17-year-old admitted to investigators that they had set the fire and thrown the objects at the cars, Zurolo said. Damage to the trash can was estimated at $300, but investigators were still tallying the damage to the cars.
The latest fire appeared similar to the series of other arsons police believe teens set, including at least one other fire set that night, Zurolo.
“Our guys feel pretty confident after interrogating these three that these were the only incidents they’re involved with,” Zurolo said.
“As for the other 37 [arsons], we still have some individuals of interest. We just don’t yet have anything concrete enough to charge.”
Two other fires occurred Thursday night and early Friday, Zurolo said.
On Friday, a plastic mailbox on Whitney Lane in Bel Air was set on fire, and that arson may be connected with the series of others, Zurolo said.
And mulch at a playground behind Hall’s Crossroads Elementary in Aberdeen was ignited around 7:30 Thursday evening.
msantoni@baltimoreexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
12:49 PM MST on Mon., May. 12, 2008 re: "Fire investigators’ qualifications questioned"
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1:58 PM MST on Thu., May. 8, 2008
re: "3 teens charged with arson at bus stop"
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7:18 AM MST on Tue., May. 6, 2008
re: "3 teens charged with arson at bus stop"
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8:01 AM MST on Thu., Nov. 22, 2007
re: "Essex man charged with arson in Columbia"
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6:47 PM MST on Tue., Oct. 2, 2007
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12:49 PM MST on Tue., Oct. 2, 2007
re: "Fire guts adult store, injures firefighter"
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12:33 PM MST on Tue., Jul. 3, 2007
re: "Arson damages adult bookstore in Aberdeen"
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1:10 PM MST on Mon., Jun. 25, 2007
re: "Carroll police: Teens likely culprits in arsons"
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Mike Licht said:
Re: Unqualified fire examiners -- Does anyone else remember the unqualified MPD fingerprint examiner? Dozens of cases were thrown out of court when he was exposed. Time to re-examine the Eastern Market fire, since ATF opinions differed from those of DCFD.
7 agree | 5 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
haha i know one of the kids in the case and I'm glad they are locking him away...good riddance
3 agree | 4 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
wonder if any of people who set the porch on fire know what about the elderly woman who died when the dc arsonist set one on her porch. to mr. hats-off with the "moral smile," get a life, and a conscience.
3 agree | 3 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
When I first heard about this fire in the news media, I knew immediately it was one of these boyfriend/girlfriend situations among a certain race of people which usually end in either an arson or acid throwing incident.
100 agree | 120 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Jeez, pal. Try Strunk and White ("The Elements of Style"). No, it's not a television show or a wine cooler but it'll help.
149 agree | 119 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Sounds like the work of Self-rightous Christians. Also any one who take thier hats off to an arsonist is not a moralist
142 agree | 143 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I dont normally condone committing crimes...but this case brings a moral smile to my face..."hats-off" Mr. Arsonist
192 agree | 184 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
1.2 million for computers.. Get rid of the resident trooper program and they will have several million for equipment and deputies..
149 agree | 159 disagree
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