Police say a Topsham woman faces multiple charges after allegedly trying to set a car on fire on River Road in Topsham on Jan. 3.
Crystal M. Pare, 37, was arrested and charged with arson, burglary and violation of conditional release.
Topsham Police Chief Marc Hagan said a River Road resident reported that a woman had walked into their house and acted strangely.
“The woman later fled the house and got into their car and started a fire,” said Hagan. “There was an oxygen tank in the car, so she threw that tank onto the fire and fled the car. She was found in the streets, and at that point, we were able to detain her.”
Hagan said there is no estimate of how much damage was done to the car.
“One of the owners pulled everything that was burning out of the car,” said Hagan. “I don’t think there was any damage to the vehicle.”
Police say Pare was arrested and taken to Two Bridges Jail in Wiscasset and her court date is March 8.
Hagan said there was no bail allowed for Pare because she was already in violation of a conditional release.
“She has been charged a week earlier with operating after suspension and bailed,” said Hagan. “Since she had already violated her initial bail conditions, there was no bail allowed.”
Hagan said she might be charged for violating conditions of release, a Class E crime, for which she could be sentenced up to six months in jail. For the burglary to motor vehicle, a Class D crime, she could be sentenced up to a year and arson is charged as a Class A crime, for which she could be sentenced for up to 30 years.
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