Mt. Vernon Arson: Woman Charged In Vehicle Fires

BALTIMORE, MD — Police said a woman was arrested in connection with several vehicle fires in Mount Vernon on Friday, Dec. 21. Officers announced after 11 p.m. that investigators were looking for her, and anyone with information should call 911. At 11:30 p.m. that evening, police said the suspect was taken into custody without incident in the 1700 block of North Charles Street.

Lakia Letterlough, 25, has been charged with 10 counts of first-degree malicious burning, court records show. She is being held without bail at the Baltimore City jail as of Saturday, Dec. 22.

The charges came after multiple cars were set ablaze in midtown Baltimore.

The vehicles were burned around 3 a.m. on North Charles Street near Penn Station, the 1700 block of St. Paul Street, the unit block of East Lanvale Street and 1000 block of St. Paul Street, according to Baltimore City Councilman Eric Costello.

"Somebody apparently took an accelerant and put it on a number of cars — we believe seven at this point," Interim Police Commissioner Gary Tuggle said at a midday Friday press conference.

Two additional vehicles were considered collateral damage, Tuggle added.

As investigators were reviewing surveillance from the area, police released two photos of a woman Friday described as a person of interest.

SHARE: Person of interest identified in Mount Vernon arson investigation. 9 vehicles intentionally set on fire overnight #Baltimore @wjz pic.twitter.com/jP5E5uBFtJ
— Rick Ritter (@RickRitterWJZ) December 21, 2018

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or ATF, was assisting the Baltimore Police Department in the probe. Tuggle said they were partnering because of the ATF's expertise in arson investigations.

Investigators say it does not appear that anyone was targeted specifically in the vehicle arsons.

“We believe those were random acts of violence," Tuggle said.

Letterlough is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing in Baltimore City District Court on Jan. 17, 2019.

Anyone with information about Lakia Letterlough is asked to call 911 or 410-303-1743.

Photo of Lakia Letterlough and arson person of interest via Baltimore Police Department.