WEST OCEAN CITY — A notorious local arsonist is being held without bond this week after being arrested for an arson in West Ocean City that destroyed a home and a boathouse and damaged three other homes.
Shortly after the fire, the Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office concluded the cause of the blaze was arson and an investigation was initiated. In November, a warrant was issued for John Edward Cropper, 57, of West Ocean City, who is known for purposely setting fires in the area over the last several decades.
Last Friday, Cropper was arrested in Snow Hill and was charged with four counts of first-degree arson, second-degree arson and malicious burning. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner last Friday and was ordered to be held without bond. Following a bail review hearing on Monday, he was again ordered to be held without bond.
The fire occurred on June 22 around 1:50 a.m. in the area along Harbor Road in West Ocean City. Fire companies from around the area responded to fight the blaze, and two firefighters were injured.
The charges against Cropper were the result of a dual investigation by the Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office and the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation. Other agencies involved in the investigation and the processing of the scene included the Ocean City Fire Marshal’s Office, the Maryland State K-9 Division of the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the forensic division of the Ocean City Police Department.
Too bad the medication isn’t working.