WASHINGTON COUNTY, MD — A Hagerstown man was arrested on Friday after allegedly threatening to set fire to the house he was renting. Randy L. Sigler, 65, was taken into custody without incident by Deputy State Fire Marshals after an arrest warrant was issued.
Authorities responded to the 13600 block of Grandview Drive in Hagerstown just after 2:00 p.m. following a report of a tenant-landlord dispute. The landlord told deputies that Sigler became enraged after being informed that the home he was renting was going to be sold. During the confrontation, Sigler reportedly threatened to burn down the property. The couple, who had been cleaning out the basement at the time, left the residence and contacted the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office subsequently requested the assistance of the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Following a brief investigation, the threat was deemed credible, leading to Sigler’s arrest.
Sigler was located later that day with the help of troopers from the Maryland State Police Hagerstown Barrack. He was charged with one count of arson threat and was later released on his own recognizance from the Washington County Detention Center.
Under Maryland law, threatening to set fire to a structure or use a destructive device is classified as a misdemeanor. Convictions can result in penalties of up to ten years in prison and a fine of $10,000.