CAMBRIDGE, Md. — A 51-year-old Cambridge man has been arrested for setting fire in an occupied house.
According to police, the Rescue Fire Company (Cambridge) was called to 100 Mako Drive in Cambridge Thursday at 12:20 p.m. for a reported vehicle fire after occupants of the home made the discovery.
Upon arrival, they found the fire was to a Nissan Altima that was parked inside an attached garage of the residence.
Witnesses on scene identified Joe Louis Winbush Jr as a possible suspect and he was immediately detained by Cambridge Police.
The investigation revealed that the owner of the car was Cheryl Gross. Fire Investigators placed the origin of the fire at the rear driver’s side quarter panel at the fuel filler. They determined the cause to be arson.
The fire caused approximately $1,000.00 in damages to the vehicle and another $200.00 in damages to contents.
An investigation further developed Winbush Jr as the suspect and revealed he was the former boyfriend of the car’s owner. They also determined the home was occupied at the time of the fire.
Shortly after the fire Winbush was charged with the following crimes; Arson 1st Degree, Arson 2nd Degree, Malicious Burning 1st Degree, Threat of Arson, Malicious Destruction of Property over $1,000.00, Malicious Destruction of Property under $1,000.00, three counts of 1st Degree Assault, three counts of 2nd Degree Assault and Reckless Endangerment.
If convicted of these crimes Winbush faces a maximum penalty of 188 years and 2 months of imprisonment and $119,500 in fines.
Winbush was also charged with Attempted 1st Degree Murder which carries a penalty of Life in Prison.
