Former Maryland police chief charged with attempted murder for string of arson fires
A former police chief in Laurel, Md., was arrested Wednesday and accused of setting at least a dozen fires between 2011 and last year that targeted professional and personal enemies.
David M. Crawford, 69, faces 53 counts, including arson and attempted murder, in Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, Frederick County and Howard County, the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department announced.
Investigators across the four counties, as well as Charles County, where Crawford may still face charges, have been hunting the serial arsonist for years, but only found a break in the case after a 2020 fire when they were able to link the victims to Crawford.
“Through the course of the investigation, it was determined that the structures and vehicles that Crawford intentionally set on fire were connected to victims with whom he had previous disagreements,” officials said in a statement.
Among the victims were retired Laurel Police Chief Richard McLaughlin, former City Administrator Marty Flemion, two of Crawford’s former doctors and a neighbor in Ellicott City, according to the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department.
One fire was set in the car of the mother of the executive director of a court training program that Crawford’s wife complained about for explaining “white privilege,” according to charging documents.
At least six of the fires were lit in the middle of the night when the families were at home and asleep.
No injuries were reported.
“These allegations are troubling and quite serious, and if proven true, members of our City of Laurel family have been victimized,” Laurel Mayor Craig Moe said in a statement. “And I want to say that our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families as this case proceeds.”
Crawford resigned as Laurel police chief in 2010. The first fire was set less than a year later.
