Stanley Man Charged After Alleged Attempted Arson at Front Royal Apartment

On August 10, 2026, at approximately 7:50 a.m., the Front Royal Police Department, along with Warren County Fire and Rescue, responded to 613 North Royal Avenue for a report of a strong gasoline odor inside an apartment building. Upon arrival, officers found an apartment door that appeared to have been forced open.

While clearing the residence, officers detected a very strong odor of gasoline throughout the apartment and observed that several items inside the residence had been destroyed. Officers subsequently contacted the tenant, who advised that she had been out of town for the weekend and was on her way home.

The Front Royal Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division and investigators with Warren County Fire and Rescue responded to the scene to assist with the investigation and examination of the residence.

During the investigation, officers reviewed surveillance footage from the apartment building. The footage showed a male subject, later identified as Richard Wilson Terrell, 42, of Stanley, Virginia, forcibly entering the apartment while carrying two containers believed to contain gasoline. Investigators also determined that Terrell was an acquaintance of the apartment tenant.

Later that afternoon, an automated license plate reader alerted officers to a vehicle being driven by Terrell traveling southbound on North Shenandoah Avenue. Officers located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop in the 1700 block of North Shenandoah Avenue. As a result of the stop, Terrell was taken into custody without incident.

RSW Regional Jail mugshot of Richard Wilson Terrell, 42, of Stanley, upon his August 10th arrest and booking in Front Royal Arson investigation. Courtesy Photo FRPD/RSW

Terrell was transported to the RSW Regional Jail, where he was charged with the following offenses:

• § 18.2-90, Entering dwelling house with intent to commit arson
• § 18.2-77, Attempted Arson
• § 18.2-422, Wearing a mask to conceal identity
• § 18.2-119, Trespassing after being forbidden to do so
• § 18.2-137, Destruction of Property (>$1,000.00)

This investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Sgt. M.P. Gallagher at 540-636-2208 or at mgallagher@frontroyalva.com.

The Front Royal Police Department would like to express sincere appreciation to Warren County Fire and Rescue and the Loudoun County Fire Marshal’s Office for their assistance during the investigation.

(From FRPD Press Release)