Waynesboro man arrested for burning van

By Cleve Wiese

Published: June 23, 2008

A Waynesboro man was arrested Wednesday for allegedly setting fire to a van parked outside a King Avenue apartment building.

Willie Junior Walker, 49, has been charged with arson and destruction of personal property in connection with the incident, which occurred at around 4:20 p.m. Tuesday, police said. Walker used an undisclosed accelerant to burn the 1996 Ford Mini-van, which was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived on the scene, police said. The van belonged to one of Walker’s acquaintances, police said.

An adjacent 2005 Dodge Stratus was also damaged in the blaze, as was vinyl siding on the apartment building, police said. Total damage was estimated at $8,000.

“It could easily have taken the whole complex down,” said Sgt. Kelly Walker of the Waynesboro Police Department.

Additional charges for damage to the second vehicle and the apartment building are pending, Sgt. Walker said. Willie Junior Walker is being help without bond at the Middle River Regional Jail pending a court hearing later this week.