ROCKLAND, Maine — A 28-year-old Rockland man is being held without bail after he made his initial court appearance Friday afternoon for allegedly setting fire to a car.
Jeremy Dennison, who was arrested Monday, was charged by Rockland police with arson and aggravated criminal mischief, according to Rockland Deputy Police Chief Wally Tower. Dennison remains at the Knox County Jail in Rockland.
At about 11 p.m. Sunday, Dennison slashed and flattened four tires on a 1999 Dodge Durango sports utility vehicle parked at 265 Pleasant St. in Rockland, according to Tower. Dennison then stuffed a rag in the opening of the gas tank and lit it on fire in an attempt to destroy the vehicle, Tower reported.
The tank did not ignite, however, and there was no damage to the vehicle from the fire.
The SUV belonged to Dennison’s former girlfriend’s new boyfriend. According to an affidavit filed in court, Dennison had previously threatened to harm both.
Dennison was arrested Monday, initially on a probation violation order from his probation officer. He was on probation for convictions of domestic violence assault and assault. In the June 2013 incident that led to those charges, Dennison assaulted his girlfriend and then struck, with a large stick, a man who had come to the woman’s aid.