Hagerstown man arrested after setting fires outside bookstore
Hagerstown, MD – Late Monday night two small fires were set outside Wonder Book and Video on Dual Highway, and Deputy State Fire Marshals say a nearby man was arrested within minutes after witnesses and deputies helped locate him.
Deputy State Fire Marshals charged 27-year-old Michael Boateng of Hagerstown with arson after investigators determined he intentionally started two separate fires outside the bookstore, officials said. Hagerstown Fire Department crews extinguished the flames; no injuries were reported.
According to the State Fire Marshal’s Office, the fires were reported late Monday and witnesses gave information that led deputies from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office to a nearby location where Boateng was taken into custody without incident. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is handling the investigation and will present evidence to prosecutors for charging decisions.
Fire crews checked the scene for extension and damage and the business was left secure after the response, officials said. The State Fire Marshal’s Office did not immediately release details on the suspected motive or the extent of property damage. Anyone with information about the incident was asked to contact the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
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Key Points
- Michael Boateng, 27, charged with arson after two fires were set outside Wonder Book and Video
- Hagerstown Fire Department extinguished the flames and no injuries were reported
- Witnesses and Washington County deputies located and arrested Boateng within minutes