Ex-chief targeted foes in string of Maryland arsons, police say Associated Press Laurel, Md. — A former Maryland police chief is accused of setting fires to multiple structures that belonged to his adversaries, authorities said. Former Laurel Police Chief David Crawford, 69, was arrested Wednesday and is charged with over 50 felonies, including first-degree arson and first-degree attempted murder, in connection to a string of fires from 2011 to 2020 in Howard, Prince George’s, Frederick and Montgomery counties. Twelve fires were set in the nine-year span to multiple homes, vehicles and residential garages, authorities said. Investigators determined the fires were connected to people who had disagreements with Crawford, authorities said. Police said they found a target list of known victims and other evidence during a search of Crawford's Howard County home in January.