Man Arrested in Caroline County for Attempted Arson Targeting Local Business

The Office of the State Fire Marshal has apprehended a 26-year-old man in connection with an attempted arson that occurred in Ridgely, Maryland. The arrest, which took place on Friday, follows a six-month investigation and a grand jury indictment. The suspect has been charged with multiple offenses, including second-degree arson and attempted second-degree arson, with potential prison sentences of up to 20 years for each count.

According to information released by the Maryland State Fire Marshal, the investigation focused on an incident at Murphy’s Transport in Ridgely. Investigators determined that the business was allegedly targeted due to an existing dispute between the accused, Marshall Allan Murphy of Sudlersville, Maryland, and the company’s owner. The incident under investigation occurred in July, when the owner discovered fire damage to one vehicle and evidence of ignitable liquid being poured onto three other vehicles on the premises. The total damages from this incident were estimated to be around $100,000.

Murphy was taken into custody without incident in Greensboro, Maryland. He is currently being held at the Caroline County Department of Corrections and is being detained without bond. The Office of the State Fire Marshal, an agency within the Department of State Police, is responsible for public safety concerning fire and explosions through education, inspection, investigation, and fire protection engineering.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Maryland State Fire Marshal.

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