Arson Suspect Indicted After Fire At Abandoned Glen Burnie Eatery: Report

GLEN BURNIE, MD — An arson suspect was indicted Monday and accused of setting a fire outside an abandoned fast-food restaurant in Glen Burnie, officials said.

Authorities identified the accused man as Robert Lee Wagner, 39.

The Anne Arundel County Fire Department said the grand jury charged Wagner with second-degree arson, second-degree malicious burning and reckless endangerment.

The case started Feb. 25 when a passerby reported that he saw a man set fire to a commercial shed behind the old Checkers at 102 Mountain Road, a press release said.

Crews said they responded around 10:06 p.m. and found a man adding items to the blaze before fleeing on foot.

One engine company extinguished the flames, the release said. Nobody was hurt.

Fire investigators said they searched the area alongside the Anne Arundel County Police Department and found the suspect less than an hour after the 911 call.

Witnesses positively identified the suspect as the one adding debris to the fire, the release said.

Fire officials said they arrested the accused man later that evening but after midnight, so the arrest date was Feb. 26.

Prosecutors presented the evidence to a grand jury, which decided whether to press charges. Authorities said the grand jury sided with prosecutors and charged Wagner.

This does not mean Wagner was found guilty, however.

It only means that Wagner was formally accused of the crime. He still has the right to a trial to determine his fate.

This map shows the area where officials said the fire happened.