A Claremont man is facing two felony charges and a misdemeanor after surveillance video showed that he allegedly set fire to a pair of vehicles behind Town Fair Tire in Lebanon.
Following an investigation by the Lebanon Police Department, it was determined that the fires were started by David Merrill, 55, of Claremont, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
According to a report by the Lebanon Police Department, on Jan. 22 at 3 a.m. the Lebanon Police and Fire Departments responded to a fire behind the business located at 192 South Main Street. Emergency personnel found two vehicles on fire in a wooded area used by the business for overflow parking, and the fire department was able to quickly extinguish the fires.
“We got a report of flames in the area,” said Lebanon Police Chief Phillip Roberts. “It is right on 12A of the interstate, so any flames will be noticed. When a car burns the flames are 20 to 30 feet in the air so someone is going to see that.”
On Jan. 23, Merrill was located at an apartment in Claremont, where the Claremont Police Department arrested him and took him into custody without incident.
“The investigation led us to him, and yes, part of that investigation was surveillance video,” said Lebanon Police Chief Phillip Roberts. “Claremont PD was then able to locate him at an address in Claremont.”
Merrill was charged with Criminal Trespassing (Class A Misdemeanor), as well as Arson and Criminal Mischief, which are both Class B Felonies. He was released on Personal Recognizance bail and is scheduled to appear for an arraignment at the 2nd Circuit Lebanon District Court on April 7. Merrill is being held at the Sullivan County House of Corrections on a probation violation.
