Fires Set In Cars In Bethesda Neighborhood

Police and arson officials are investigating a bizarre series of fires set inside four vehicles in a Bethesda neighborhood on Wednesday. A police spokesperson said a suspect or group of suspects went into four apparently unlocked vehicles in the area of Wessling Lane and Glenbrook Road, took property out of the glove compartments and set the property on fire in the vehicles. At least one of the fires was set in the vehicle's front passenger's seat. One of the fires was set inside a minivan in a driveway at 5124 Wessling Lane, where homeowner Angela Zimmerman said her husband came outside at about 6 a.m. Wednesday to find a smoldering pile of papers and other items on the passenger seat with the door closed. "We've had people do petty things — go through your glove compartment, whatever. But this is weird," Zimmerman said. "The valet key was there. They didn't try to take the car. They didn't take anything." Zimmerman said police found a spray bottle they suspected was used to start the fire. A luxury SUV at the house across the street had much worse damage, Zimmerman said. Cops were looking at another car in the driveway of nearby 7010 Glenbrook Road. A police spokesperson said the investigation is ongoing and the department hopes to have more information later today. Arson investigators from MCFRS are taking part in the investigation.