Deputy State Fire Marshals have charged a Chesapeake Beach man with first-degree arson in connection with a June 25 fire that damaged a home in the 8200 block of “E” Street in Chesapeake Beach.
Thomas Sutphin, 23, has also been charged with first-degree burglary and theft and is currently being held in the Calvert County Detention Center awaiting a bail review before a District Court Commissioner.
Assisted by the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy State Fire Marshals determined the recently vacated home was burglarized by the defendant during the early morning hours of June 25, and after taking a small kitchen appliance from the home, the defendant ignited bedding in a basement bedroom.
Due to a lack of oxygen the fire self-extinguished causing approximately $5,000 in damage.
A prior occupant of the home arrived at the home later that same morning to retrieve personal property and discovered evidence of a break-in. The occupant called the owner of the home, Mr. Michael Bryan, who in turn reported the burglary.
Arriving Deputy Sheriffs detected an odor of smoke and contacted Fire Marshals. Evidence collected and witness interviews ultimately led investigators to the defendant who was arrested earlier today without incident.