Jul 31, 2012 1 min read

A Brownsville man faces a preliminary hearing today in Central Court on charges that he deliberately set fire to a vehicle he leased.William Emil Minerd Jr., 44, of 680 Old National Pike, is accused of setting fire to a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck that he leased.East Bethlehem Township police and firefighters were called May 4 for a vehicle fire at the Tri-County Joint Municipal Authority in Millsboro.Minerd told police Chief Mark Pompe that he discovered the fire and that someone else had started it. Minerd contacted his insurance company and filed a claim for compensation.Trooper Shaun Jones, the state police fire marshal, was contacted by Pompe. After examining the vehicle, which had been impounded, Jones determined the fire was incendiary. Minerd was again questioned and admitted his set the fire by using a flare to ignite a liquid accelerant he had placed in the back seat. He also told Jones that he was financially stressed and wanted to get out of the lease so he could buy another vehicle.Minerd was arraigned before District Judge Joshua Kanalis Friday on three counts of arson and one count of false reports to law enforcement. He was released on $25,000 unsecured bond.