A Maryland man was arrested for setting a Domino’s on fire after he was observed breaking into a vehicle at a nearby auto repair shop, according to officials. George W. Cook, 59, set fire to the back of a Domino’s store in Westminster, Maryland, on Saturday morning after a witness noticed him breaking into vehicles at Superior Car Care on Manchester Ave, according to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
The incident occurred on a Saturday morning when the Westminster Fire Department and surrounding departments responded to a reported building fire at the 400 block of Baltimore Blvd. Firefighters arrived at the scene and quickly contained the fire at the rear of the Domino’s. The Office of the State Fire Marshal was called in to investigate the cause of the fire.
As investigators were looking into the fire, a witness came forward and reported seeing Cook breaking into vehicles at the auto repair shop. A trooper responded to the scene and detained Cook as he was entering a vehicle. It was later discovered that Cook had been arrested by Westminster Police in the past few weeks for setting small fires within the city limits.
The previous fires were similar in nature to the one at the Domino’s, involving placing feces into bags or boxes and setting them on fire. Additionally, a Domino’s manager informed Deputy State Fire Marshals that Cook had caused trouble at the store earlier in the week, becoming belligerent and causing a disturbance when he was denied free food.
Cook was charged with second-degree arson, first- and second-degree malicious burning, and malicious destruction of property over $1,000. He also faced charges from the Westminster Police Department for rogue and vagabond and theft under $100. Currently, Cook is being held without bond at the Carroll County Detention Center.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and quick response from law enforcement and fire departments. It also highlights the potential dangers of individuals who engage in destructive behavior and pose a threat to public safety. The swift actions of the witnesses, firefighters, and law enforcement officers involved in this case helped prevent further damage and ensure that the perpetrator was apprehended and brought to justice.