Police arrest suspected arsonist

By Nate Delesline III

Published: September 4, 2008

Culpeper police on Wednesday arrested a man suspected of starting nearly a dozen fires since June.

Mack R. Southerland Jr., 32, of the 500 block of Meadowbrook Drive, is charged with five counts of felony arson and misdemeanor charge of destruction of property. According to Lt. Chris Settle, police arrested Southerland late Wednesday afternoon at his residence.

The string of suspicious fires began June 26, when playground equipment was reportedly burned in an early morning fire at the Meadowbrook Heights Apartments. Two days later, a fire started in bushes near the same playground. On July 13, a trash bin was set on fire at the apart-ment complex, and another burned Aug. 12.

Settle said Southerland was suspected early in the investigation and placed under surveillance.

Early Wednesday morning, police said they watched Southerland leave his apartment dressed in black clothing.

“We observed him in the area behind Ace Hardware about 2:30 a.m.,” Settle said.

Although officers did not witness anyone set fire to straw bales behind the store, “As soon as he leaves the area, the officers smell smoke,” Settle said.

Shortly after the fire started, police said, they watched Southerland return to his residence.

Town spokesman Wally Bunker said Southerland is being held without bond. He is due in General District Court Oct. 1 at 2 p.m.