Crime & Safety
Mercedes Benz Torched In Suspected Arson
A car was set on fire at a Norcross-area Motel 6.
Firefighters suspect that arson caused a Mercedes Benz to go up in flames at a hotel off Oakbrook Parkway Thursday morning. No suspects have been taken in, but officials suspect that the vehicle, which belonged to an extended-stay guest, was targeted.
Fire crews were called to Motel 6 at 6015 Oakbrook Parkway in unincorporated Norcross just before 11 a.m. Someone called 911 because they saw flames shooting out of a silver 2001 Mercedes.
Witnesses at the motel reported seeing two black males in a black Pontiac fleeing the parking lot just after the fire started.
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"Fire Investigators believe the two men doused the vehicle with a flammable product then set it on fire," reported Capt. Tommy Rutledge in a statement. He said the act does not appear to be random.
No motive is known and no suspects are in custody at this time.
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Rutledge said the charge for this crime would be First Degree Arson, which carries a penalty of 1 to 20 years in jail. Anyone with information is asked to contact Gwinnett Fire Investigators at 678-518-4890.
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