Arson-Arest

On 4 24 11 at approximately 9:40 PM Martinsburg Police along with the Martinsburg Fire Department were summoned to a residence located a 210 West Martin Street apt. 2 Martinsburg WV.

Det Lt GB Swartwood and Det J Luciano were also requested to respond to this incident because it appeared to be a suspicious fire in origin. The occupant of the residence was interviewed by detectives and a recorded statement was taken from him in regards to the fire.

These officers also met with Fire Investigator Jason Hoover in regards to his findings. The investigation revealed that the fire was intentionally set.  Evidence collected showed that the occupant had set fire to a candle that was wrapped in paper and placed in a plastic pill bottle and plastic bin setting fire to the carpet and was later discovered and extinguished by neighboring tenants.

The investigation further showed that a shirt had been placed in the oven and turned on earlier in the day but was not reported to the fire department or police department. There was also another delayed device was discovered underneath the sofa but this device failed to ignite by the progressing fire.

The occupant’s statement was not supported by the evidence found or by the neighboring witness statements.  A warrant for 1^st Degree Arson was sought for the occupant’s arrest and granted by Magistrate Overington. This subject was arrested on said warrant without incident on 4 25 11. He was processed at the police department and placed in the Eastern Regional Jail awaiting arraignment.

Arrested :  Marshall Gene Martin Jr.

                   DOB 02 01 11

                   210 West Martin Street Apt. 2 Martinsburg WV