A joint investigation between the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Calvert and Charles County Sheriff’s Office revealed Paul Harley, 35, was having difficulties making the $800 monthly vehicle payment. He enlisted his brother, Jeremy Harley, 29, to help in disposing of the vehicle. The vehicle was found parked and on fire along Riverside Road at Maryland Point Observatory Road in Charles County. At the time of the alleged theft Paul Harley was living in St. Leonard. He reported the theft of the vehicle to the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office. The 10:22 p.m. fire caused an estimated $44,000.00 in damage to the vehicle
Both men surrendered to deputy state fire marshals at the La Plata barracks yesterday. Besides being charged with malicious burning in the first degree, both have been charged with conspiracy to commit malicious burning, making a false statement to authorities and with insurance fraud. Jeremy Harley was served with a criminal summons while his brother was arrested on a district court arrest warrant. Paul Harley is being detained at the Charles County Detention Center awaiting an initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner.