A Salisbury woman is in custody after officials say she doused a man’s front door with gasoline and set it ablaze over an argument about $7, then fled the scene on a bicycle.
On July 3, fire investigators were called to a home on Penn Street in Salisbury after the resident put out a small fire at his front door. He told authorities that Janice Louise Oney, a woman he had known for years, accused him of owing her $7. Following an argument, she reportedly left the property, only to return minutes later carrying a bottle of gasoline.
Surveillance video from nearby businesses allegedly shows Oney setting the fire and fleeing the area on a bicycle. Investigators, aided by K9 “Deacon,” confirmed the fire was intentionally set. Several pieces of physical evidence were collected at the scene.
An arrest warrant was issued for Oney on Friday. That same evening, she was arrested with assistance from the Salisbury Police Department and Maryland State Police Salisbury Barrack. She is charged with first- and second-degree arson, first-degree malicious burning, malicious destruction of property over $1,000, reckless endangerment, and theft under $100.
Oney is currently being held without bond at the Wicomico County Detention Center following her appearance before a District Court Commissioner.
