Clerk’s Phone Call Leads to Arson Arrest in Maine

A Maine gas station clerk’s call to police about a customer’s behavior and purchase of gas, a gas can, matches and cigarettes helped lead them to arrest a man on an arson charge.

Police said the clerk, who knew the customer, became suspicious Friday after he had a conversation with the man. He reported it to police.

About an hour later, police responded to a report of a building on a fire and that people were evacuating. The fire was controlled and no one was hurt.

Police said the clerk’s call was related to the fire and within two hours, they had arrested 33-year-old Matthew Fernald of Bangor on suspicion of arson.