A D.C. firefighter has been arrested and charged for allegedly setting fire to his own car earlier this year, in an attempt to defraud his insurance company.
Crews responded to a car fire 1218 Farmingdale Avenue in Capitol Heights, Md. just before midnight Jan. 23. Further investigation revealed the fire began inside the 2006 Dodge Charger, whose owner was identified as 27-year-old Marcus A. Jackson, a firefighter with the D.C. Fire/EMS Department.
Jackson initially told police he had parked his car at the corner of Georgia Avenue and Van Buren Street NW around 10:30 p.m. that night, and said his car was missing when he woke up the next morning. He told police he was in possession of the two keys to the car.
Jackson's phone records showed he was in the area of Farmingdale Avenue just minutes before crews responded to the car fire Jan. 23. Geico insurance company found out the ignition on Jackson's car was not defeated, therefore a key with a proper transponder was used.
In a follow-up interview with police, Jackson admitted soaking the inside of his car with gasoline, then using a match to set it on fire. According to charging documents, Jackson said the car had a "lot of mechanical problems and he was looking for a quick fix to get some extra money."
He has been charged with second degree arson and malicious burn in an attempt to defraud Geico.
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Just last week, two other D.C. fire employees were arrested.
Lt. Henry Dent, who was stationed at Engine 28 in Northwest, was arrested in St. Mary's County Friday on prescription drug charges related to possession of oxycodone, according to a DC Fire and EMS spokesperson. Dent was in full uniform when police arrested him outside a pharmacy, police said. A search uncovered 47 pain pills, 18 fake prescriptions and six empty prescription bottles in his car. More charges are pending, News4's Darcy Spencer reported.
A D.C. firefighter was also arrested earlier this week on a charge of second-degree sexual assault. His name has not been released.
