Police: Burlington woman set friend’s car on fire

CEDAR RAPIDS - A Burlington woman is accused of drunkenly setting her friend's car on fire.

Cedar Rapids public safety spokesman Greg Buelow said police were called to the Budget Inn, 3100 16th Ave. SW, at 12:35 p.m. Sunday after the fire department responded to a vehicle fire in the parking lot. A witness told police they saw 31-year-old Jessica Carrington dent the side of a Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. As Carrington was leaving the scene, the witness saw smoke coming from the vehicle, Buelow said.

Police spoke to the owner of the vehicle, who told officers she believed Carrington set the car on fire because she was drunk and angry. Carrington and the owner of the car had been in an argument, Buelow said. The car sustained at least $2,000 in damages, Buelow said.

Carrington returned to the scene shortly after the officers' arrival. Based on their investigation, Carrington was arrested. Buelow said police also found two glass pipes commonly used for smoking meth or crack cocaine in Carrington's purse.

Carrington now faces charges of second-degree arson, public intoxication and possession of drug paraphernalia.