It can be interesting when a few unusual events seem to happen simultaneously, such as when a vehicle that is under-loved is stolen and, just as the thieves get to a deserted place, the car bursts into flames.
That’s why the story of Edwin Spencer caught our attention. Around 11:30 at night, Spencer’s 2005 Blazer was found on fire in a dark industrial area. These facts can make any investigator question the events.
There were other red flags in this case as well. Spencer was behind on his payments for one. The vehicle needed a lot of engine work as well. The last given fact is that the car was set on fire from within the vehicle almost thirty minutes before he reported it stolen.
Once all the facts were put together, they got the attention of the prosecutors and the jury. It took less than an hour of deliberation before Spencer was found guilty of attempted theft and submitting fraudulent information to his insurer. It’s interesting, though, that the jury did not find him guilty of arson. It’s hard to know why he wasn’t charged with arson. Maybe the jurors could not put him at the scene beyond a shadow of doubt.
Regardless, Spencer was sentenced to eighteen months in prison and three years of probation, plus a suspended prison term of three and a half years. He also had to pay a restitution of around $3200.
Thankfully, Spencer was brought to justice because the prosecutor didn’t put all his eggs into one basket. He not only brought forth the arson charge, but the other related ones of attempted theft and insurance fraud. Had he only fought for the arson charge, Spencer may have walked away a free man in the case. Instead, this case is now being used as a story to discourage other would be frauds from attempting to cheat the system.