CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — Marlney Fernandez, 44, has been arrested and charged with multiple crimes following a series of incidents last weekend.
Fernandez faces charges including second-degree burglary, breaking into a motor vehicle, attempted malicious burning of property, grand larceny, two counts of third-degree arson, and four counts of second-degree arson.
Detectives utilized surveillance footage and collaborated across multiple investigative teams to identify Fernandez as the suspect connected to several incidents.
Incidents on August 15
Between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. in West Ashley, three incidents occurred:
Around 7:25 p.m., a trash can was set on fire inside the bathroom at Zen Asian Fusion on Sam Rittenberg Boulevard.
Shortly after, a trash can fire was set inside the bathroom at McDonald’s on Savannah Highway.
At approximately 10 p.m., a Toyota Land Cruiser was stolen from Circle K on Savannah Highway but was later recovered on Drake Street.
Incidents on August 16
In the early morning hours downtown, Fernandez was linked to five more incidents:
A Jeep Wrangler was found fully engulfed in flames on Reid Street, causing damage to a nearby house. A Chevrolet Malibu nearby was also intentionally set on fire inside.
The Charleston Fire Department responded to two fires at Circle K on East Bay Street: one near gas pumps and another near propane tanks, both quickly extinguished.
Fernandez attempted to ignite a Dodge SUV on Drake Street by placing objects in its fuel tank.
A burglary on George and Meeting Streets resulted in stolen items, some recovered in Fernandez’s possession.
Surveillance footage showed Fernandez entering an unlocked vehicle and taking items on Pickney Street near Church Street.
Fernandez was arrested on Tuesday and remains in custody pending a bond hearing on the additional charges.
