Bristol Township Fire Marshal Kevin Dippolito and police have completed their investigation of the car dealership arson that occurred late last month. A homeless woman who was residing in one of the vehicles and later called 911 was charged with the fire.
Rosemarie Crawley, 46, was arrested and charged with arson of an inhabited building or structure, arson endangering property, reckless burning or exploding, risking catastrophe, criminal mischief, and recklessly endangering another person.
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On Thursday, March 30 shortly after 11 p.m., the Bucks County Communications Center recorded a 911 call for a vehicle fire at the Carlend dealership in the 7100 block of Bristol Pike in Levittown. Bristol Township police were dispatched to the area and spoke with Crawley at the scene, who was identified as the original 911 caller.
An investigation revealed that the fire had started in a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer and then spread to a 2005 Lincoln Navigator and a 2005 Chevrolet Equinox, all of which were completely consumed by flames. While the vehicles were on fire, two additional vehicles parked nearby, a 2003 Honda Pilot and a 2006 Nissan Titan, were damaged by the heat and flames. The vehicles were all parked in close proximity to a building, which suffered damage as well. The total value of all of the damaged vehicles totaled $25,421, according to police.
As noted in a probable cause affidavit, the three vehicles consumed by flames were used with permission as shelter and a place for personal belongings for some of the area homeless during rain or cold weather – including Crawley and her boyfriend who resided in the Trailblazer.
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The dealership’s owner indicated that all three of the vehicles were on his lot to be repaired and sold and were in view of the dealership’s surveillance cameras.
The perspective of the video showed Crawley standing at the rear of the Trailblazer, possibly arguing with her boyfriend, which the dealership owner indicated was a common occurrence, as indicated in court documents.
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The video then showed Crawley leaning into the backseat as her boyfriend was walking away the vehicle. It was then that a flame became visible through the windshield. Video then depicts Crawley walking away from the vehicle as the flames continued to grow and engulf the entire vehicle. The three people occupying the Navigator and the two people occupying the Equinox all had to flee as the flames jumped and and ignited the other vehicles rather quickly.
An initial observation by fire officials that the blaze was started purposefully and a check of the area where Crawley leaned in and the initial flames were started revealed a burnt sterno type wick and two metal lids consistent with a sterno container.
Crawley was arraigned and remanded to the Bucks County Correctional Facility on 10 percent of $20,000 bail.
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Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.
