November 24th, 2019 by WCBC Radio
The Western Regional Office of the State Fire Marshal, with the assistance of the Maryland State Police, arrested a man Saturday morning for a vehicle theft that occurred at the scene of an arson in Cumberland.
Robert Edward Tappia, age 50, of Cumberland, was charged with motor vehicle theft and two counts of felony theft of less than $25,000, after deputy state fire marshals discovered a stolen 2014 Yamaha FJR at Tappia's residence during the execution of search warrant. The motorcycle was one of two that were reported missing after a suspicious fire occurred on 11808 Messick Road in Cumberland on Novemeber 21, 2019. This fire remains under investigation by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
If convicted, Tappia faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and/or $15,000 in fines. Anyone with information regarding the suspected arson on Messick Road is asked to contact the State Fire Marshal's Arson Hotline at 1-800-492-7529.
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