Vehicle theft and arson investigation

Warren County, VA – On Saturday, October 19, 2019, at approximately 6:30 am, Warren County Fire and Rescue units, along with Middletown Fire and Rescue units, were dispatched to the 800 block of Long Meadow Road for a reported motor vehicle crash with the vehicle on fire.

Units arrived on the scene and determined that the vehicle was completely burned and appeared abandoned along the side of the roadway.

The cause of the fire was investigated by the Warren County Fire Marshal’s Office. Fire Investigators determined the fire was caused by an act of arson. Fire Investigators were joined by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division in a joint investigation.

The vehicle, identified as a 2006 Chevrolet Van, white in color with ladder racks on the roof, was determined to be stolen from the area of Poe’s Campground on Riverside Drive in Front Royal, between the hours of 1:00 am and 5:30 am Saturday morning. A large amount of Milwaukee power tools and tools related to the electrical trade were found to be removed from the vehicle before the fire.

Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is asked to contact Fire Marshal Gerry Maiatico at 540-636-3830 or Investigator Scott Baker with the Sheriff’s Office at 540-635-7100 or 540-635-4128.