Bel Air Man Charged with Arson for Allegedly Igniting Ex-Girlfriend’s Acquaintance’s Car in Street

From the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal:

Deputy State Fire Marshals have arrested and charged, Scott Alan Cooney, Jr. (20) of Bel Air with arson related charges involving a vehicle belonging to his ex-girlfriends acquaintance.

The incident occurred at approximately 3:45 a.m. on July 16, 2011 at 3722 Bay Road in Street, MD. Whiteford VFD and the Harford County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the scene and found the fire had been extinguished by the ex-girlfriends father with a garden hose on the exterior of the 1996 Eagle Talon sedan. While on scene the Harford County Sheriff’s Deputies were requested to assist an individual who had his car in a ditch nearby. The vehicle in the ditch was determined to belong to Cooney. Deputies viewed a gas can located near the vehicle and requested the Office of the State Fire Marshal to assist with the investigation.

Deputy State Fire Marshals determined the fire had been intentionally set on the exterior of the vehicle on Bay Road with the use of an accelerant. The damage to the vehicle was estimated at $3,000. Investigators then viewed the vehicle belonging to Cooney and observed items believed to have been used in the crime. Cooney was transported to the MSP Barrack in Bel Air and charged with Arson 2nd Degree, Malicious Burning 1st and 2nd Degree and Malicious Destruction of Property.

Cooney was transported to the Harford County Detention Center and remains in custody on a $15,000 bond. If convicted of these charges, Cooney faces up to 30 years imprisonment and/or $38,500 in fines.