Man Accused of Torching Ex-Girlfriend's Acquaintance's Car

A 20-year-old Bel Air man has been arrested for charges related to a vehicle arson in Street.

Scott Allen Cooney Jr., of the 400 block of Aggies Circle, is accused of setting a 1996 Eagle Talon belonging to “his ex-girlfriend’s acquaintance” on fire at about 3:45 a.m. Saturday, according to a release from the Office of the State Fire Marshal. He has been charged with second-degree arson, malicious burning and first- and second-degree malicious destruction of property for the incident, which occurred in the 3700 block of Bay Road.

After his ex-girlfriend extinguished the fire with a garden hose, deputies found a gas can next to Cooney’s car in a nearby ditch, the release stated.

Fire marshals said the fire was intentionally set with an accelerant causing about $3,000 in damage. Cooney is being held in the Harford County Detention Center on a $15,000 bond. He faces up to $38,500 in fines and 30 years in prison if convicted.