CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) — A Charleston woman has been arrested in connection with a string of crimes including arson, burglary, and vehicle theft that took place across West Ashley and downtown Charleston between August 15 and 16.
Marleny Fernandez, 44, faces multiple charges:
Second-degree burglary
Breaking into a motor vehicle
Attempting to maliciously burn property
Grand larceny
Two counts of third-degree arson
Four counts of second-degree arson
Charleston Police say detectives used surveillance footage and inter-agency cooperation to identify Fernandez as the suspect.
Timeline of the Crimes
Evening of August 15:
A trash can fire was reported in the bathroom of Zen Asian Fusion on Sam Rittenberg Boulevard just before 7:30 p.m.
A similar fire occurred shortly after inside a McDonald’s bathroom on Savannah Highway.
A Toyota Land Cruiser was stolen from a Circle K gas station around 10 p.m. It was later found abandoned on Drake Street.
Morning of August 16:
Crews responded to a vehicle fire near Reid and Hanover Streets. A white Jeep Wrangler was fully engulfed in flames, damaging a nearby home.
Another vehicle, a Chevrolet Malibu, also sustained fire damage nearby. The owner said the car was locked, with no apparent forced entry.
Two separate fires were reported at a Circle K on East Bay Street, one near the gas pumps and another near propane tanks—both started with gasoline.
Fernandez allegedly attempted to set a Dodge SUV on fire by inserting objects into its fuel tank.
Later that day, police reported a burglary at a home on George and Meeting Streets. Stolen property was recovered from Fernandez’s possession. Surveillance video also captured her entering an unlocked vehicle on Pinckney Street and stealing multiple items.
Arrest and Investigation
Charleston police arrested Fernandez on August 19, initially on fewer charges, but more were added following further investigation. She remains in custody pending a bond hearing.
“This was a serious and extensive crime spree,” said the Charleston Police Department. “Our detectives worked quickly to connect the incidents and identify Fernandez as the suspect.”
