Former Police Chief Indicted On 6 Charges Related To Arson

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The former city of Laurel police chief charged by a Montgomery County grand jury has been indicted. David Crawford, 69, faced four counts of arson and two counts of reckless endangerment relating to three separate fires targeting homes owned by his stepson.

Crawford has pending indictments in three other jurisdictions including Howard, Prince George's and Frederick counties. First-degree arson carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in jail and a max fine of $50,000.

Montgomery County State's Attorney John McCarthy said the charges stemmed from fires set in 2016, 2019 and 2020. Crawford is believed to have set fire to his stepson's unoccupied home in Clarksburg. The flames from the fire spread to an adjacent home causing damage to that residence as well. While Crawford's stepson wasn't home at the time of the fire, the neighbors were in their home. Police also believe Crawford set a fire in a garage behind another home owned by his stepson where he lived at the time.

According to the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office, Crawford is believed to have set at least a dozen fires since 2011. Several of the homes were occupied, including by children. Crawford operated from a hit list he had compiled of people he had vendettas against, according to court documents.

Crawford has worked in law enforcement since the 1970s until he was asked to resign from his position as Laurel's police chief in 2010.