Helltown is burning – again: Arson charges in Friday apartment building and vehicle fires

On Friday, January 3, 2020, the Front Royal Police Department received a report of an attempted arson of an apartment building located at 134 E. 2nd Street in Front Royal.

A joint investigation conducted between the Front Royal Police Criminal Investigations Division and the Warren County Fire Marshal’s Office determined that during the early hours on Friday morning, an intentional fire was set in the stairwell of the occupied apartment building. The occupants of the building were alerted by a smoke alarm and were able to quickly extinguish the fire. No fire or police services were requested at the time of the incident.

Investigators later determined that a separate fire was intentionally set to a vehicle in the parking lot of the Knotty Pine Restaurant located at 801 North Royal Avenue. It was determined that the vehicle involved belonged to one of the occupants of the apartment building.

Robert May, 30 of Front Royal was arrested and charged with one felony.

As a result of the investigation, Mr. Robert May, 30 of Front Royal was arrested and charged with one felony count of §18.2-77. Burning or destroying dwelling house, etc. and an additional felony charge of §18.2-81. Burning or destroying personal property, standing grain, etc.

Mr. May was transported to Rappahannock Shenandoah Warren Regional Jail where he is currently being held without bond. A court date has been set for these matters on February 4th, 2020 in Warren County General District Court.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents are asked to contact Fire Marshal Gerry R. Maiatico at 540-636-3830, gmaiatico@warrencountyfire.com or Detective Marc R. Ramey at 540-636-2208 or mramey@frontroyalva.com