ST. MARY’S COUNTY, Md. (January 21, 2015) – Deputy State Fire Marshals have charged, Nicholas Anthony O’Brien, age 21, after determining he was responsible for intentionally setting his 2006 Subaru Legacy ablaze in an attempt to commit Insurance Fraud.
On October 29, 2014, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a vehicle in a pond along Yowaski Mill Road. Deputies determined the car had been set on fire before being rolled into the pond. Deputy State Fire Marshal’s were requested to the scene and determined the fire had been intentionally set and collected evidence from the vehicle. Investigators also revealed a stolen vehicle report was initiated on September 5, 2014 by the suspect. The vehicle loss was estimated at $15,000.
O’Brien was served a criminal summons at his place of employment. He was charged with Arson 2nd Degree, Malicious Burning 1st Degree and Insurance Fraud. If convicted of the charges, he faces up to 30 imprisonment and/or $40,000 in fines. O’Brien is scheduled to appear on February 27, 2015 at the St. Mary’s District Court.
Source: Office of the State Fire Marshal