Woman charged with latest of 70 Va. shore arsons
4/2/2013PARKSLEY, Va. — A woman has been charged in connection with the latest of more than 70 arsons on Virginia's Eastern Shore, an official said today.
Tonya S. Bundick was arrested early today near a vacant residence in the town of Melfa that had been set on fire, said state police spokeswoman Corinne Geller.
The fire was reported at 11:40 p.m. Monday. It was quickly extinguished and damage was minimal, Geller said.
Bundick, 40, was being held today at the Accomack County Jail without bond on arson and conspiracy charges. It was unclear if she had an attorney.
There have been more than 70 arsons in Accomack County since November.
Geller said it was too early to say whether the latest arson is linked to the others or whether Bundick is a suspect in the others. Authorities scheduled a news conference for later in the day today.
“I'm glad they caught her if she really set the fire at the house last night,” said Donald Varney, who runs a fishing tackle shop in Wachapreague, a town on the Eastern Shore located about six miles northwest of Melfa.
But the arrest did not ease Varney's mind about the string of arsons.
“I'm expecting tonight to see another one go up somewhere,” he said.