Charges Filed Against Suspected Serial Arsonist

This story was written and reported by Lisa Baumann and Margaret Santjer.

Editor's Note: This story, originally posted at 10:24 a.m. Aug. 6, has been updated with additional details.

A 38-year-old Shoreline man faces three charges of arson in connection with setting fires at the Shoreline Sears, the Northgate Target in Seattle and Images Styling Salon in Shoreline.

Vernon Robert Quince is set to be arraigned Aug. 12 on two counts of first-degree arson and one count of second-degree arson, according to the King County Prosecutor’s Office. He’s being held on $1 million bail.

According to charging documents, Quince set fire to a rack of mattress covers at Sears on July 18. The fire was kept in check by an automatic sprinkler system, although damage is estimated at nearly $2 million. Quince was identified from store video and also by security personnel who said he was known to them for previous shoplifting incidents. He reportedly often stole cologne and Quince's relatives reportedly told police he has a fascination with cologne going back to a memory of his father spraying him and saying, "that will make you a man."

Video from a nearby store reportedly shows Quince going in to purchase corn dogs and soda around the time of the fire, and then hanging around outside to watch firefighters work.

He is also accused of starting a small fire in the linens section of the Target store in Northgate on July 17 after he was suspected of shoplifting and followed by security personnel. Some towels were ignited on a shelf but were stomped out by employees as Quince left the building. Additionally, Target personnel provided police with six reports linking Quince to shoplifting from Target stores.

A search for similar fires in large retail outlets revealed a bathroom fire in the Big Lots store at 15403 Westminster Way N. in Shoreline in April 2011. That fire involved a toilet paper dispenser set on fire and a description given of the suspect matches Quince's appearance, charging documents said. In police interviews, Quince reportedly admitted starting a fire at Big Lots, but he has not been charged in this instance.

Quince is also accused of setting a a garbage can on fire in December 2011 outside The Images Styling Salon at 525 NE 165th St. in Shoreline. There was fire and smoke damage to the back entry door and to the inside of the building. The damage was estimated at $35,000. 

In a police interview, Quince reportedly admitting to setting fires at the salon, Target, Sears and at Big Lots. During all the fire instances, except for at the salon, the businesses were open with customers inside.

In 2002, Quince was arrested for leaving a bomb threat letter on a bus and in the letter making statements about setting large retail stores on fire.

Quince's relatives gave police a mental health summary from April that has no reference to any fire setting behavior.

Patch will update this story as further information becomes available.