FOUR OAKS – A Johnston County Commissioner believes he was the target of an intentionally set vehicle fire.
Around 2:00am Sunday, a passing motorist reported a vehicle fire in a parking lot in the 4000 block of US 301 South, adjacent to Holt Lake Gas & Grill. Four Oaks Fire responded and extinguished the blaze, which also damaged a dumpster and scorched the exterior of a mobile office building.
The vehicle, a 1992 Volkswagen convertible, was owned by Commissioner Tony Braswell. Braswell said the car had been parked there approximately one year waiting to be worked on at a mechanic shop located behind the convenience store.
Four Oaks Police and the Johnston County Fire Marshal’s Office are jointly investigating.
On Monday, Police Chief Stephen Anderson said the investigation was still ongoing. Fire Marshal Ryan Parker said a fire investigator returned to the scene Monday afternoon to attempt to determine the origin.
Commissioner Braswell believes it is a case of arson. “I think it is suspicious because the fire was really hot and was set in the back of the car.”
He also believes the person who set the fire knew he was the owner. “I think so, you know. I think the car was targeted and they knew the car belonged to me.”
Mr. Braswell said he didn’t know if the fire was directed towards him for personal reasons or from his position as an elected official.
Commissioner Braswell estimated the Volkswagen was worth approximately $8,500.
Police have not said if the fire appears to be intentional or accidental. Anyone with information about the fire should contact the Four Oaks Police Department.
A year? What crooked mess is this? Free storage it sounds like
His value estimate is WAAAAAY off according to KBB.
You could determine its value off of a vague description of 1992 Volkswagen convertible?
Yes. I can.
I call BS.
$8500 for a 1992 car sitting in a garage parking lot for over a year needing repair? Not even close.
Just for sake of argument, estimating the value based on the highest optioned version, with 100000 miles (about 3000 miles per year) and rating the condition as good (since it has been sitting waiting on mechanical repairs for a year), the car is worth about $1800.
I’ve seen old, arguably classic cars sit like this waiting on repairs that don’t happen for various reasons including lack of money, hidden damage/corrosion, low value to the mechanic vs. high difficulty, parts availability, etc. It’s perfectly fine if the property owner allows it to stay for free.
The likeliest motive to me is just plain random vandalism. Could also be that someone wanted rid of it.
It’s clearly worth way more than stated I mean wow a 92 vw marketplace value
That car has been sitting there for well over 4 yrs. And definitely wasn’t worth 8500. I look at it each time I drive by that place. I’m a VW fan. I have even had friends that have tried to buy it over the yrs. It has never moved from that spot. Smells of something fishy rather then someone targeting it.
Commissioner Braswell, after sitting for a year are you sure this was not arson. As a past firefighter the situation sounds a little funny to me. Just saying. Anyway just needs a little buffing and it will be as good as new.
True, or maybe someone is sending a message.