March 29, 2024
Annapolis, US 45 F

Woman arrested after trying to firebomb a Glen Burnie church

Heather Alena Meisel
Heather Alena Meisel

The Anne Arundel County Fire Department’s Fire and Explosives investigators have arrested a Baltimore woman and charged her with attempted murder and arson, among other charges, in the attempted firebombing of a Glen Burnie church.

On February 13, 2020 at approximately 10 a.m., members of the Anne Arundel County Fire and Explosives Investigation Unit, Anne Arundel County Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives responded to the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, located at 1301 William St, Glen Burnie for a report of an attempted arson.

Investigators observed an exterior door had been broken out and inside the door were remnants of a destructive device or molotov cocktail. The church was occupied at the time of the incident.

Information gained led investigators to a suspect who resides in Halethorpe, Baltimore County. Through a joint effort between Anne Arundel County Fire Investigators, Anne Arundel County Police, Baltimore County Police and the ATF, the suspect was apprehended and detained for questioning the same day.

Heather Alena Meisel, 43, from Halethorpe was arrested and charged in Anne Arundel County with:

  • Attempted murder 1st degree
  • Attempted murder 2nd degree
  • Attempted Arson
  • Malicious Burning
  • Manufacture/Possession of a destructive device
  • Defacing a religious property
  • Destruction of Property

It is believed the suspect acted alone and there is no other threat at this time.

This is an active criminal investigation. Investigators are requesting that anyone with home video recording systems or who may have seen anything unusual in the area that morning contact them. They may be contacted at the TIPS line at 410-222-TIPS (8747) or by using the online form. Individuals may remain anonymous using either means of contact.

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