ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, March 3, 1996 TAG: 9603040048
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BETTY HAYDEN STAFF WRITER
Federal agents arrested a 47-year-old Wytheville man Friday in Atlanta and charged him with soliciting a crime of violence - arson.
Glen Richard Hammer is accused of planning to burn down the Virginia Doll House, also known as the Blue Ridge Doll House, in Fort Chiswell, according to the U.S. attorney's office. The store is on Frontage Road, which faces Interstate 81.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Lloret said Saturday evening he wasn't sure if Hammer was being held in Atlanta or had been released on bond.
Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms arrested Hammer at a hotel late Friday after they received information on his whereabouts, but Lloret said they don't know why he was in Atlanta.
The Wythe County Sheriff's Office began investigating Hammer recently and brought in the ATF because an arson that affects a business involved in interstate commerce is a federal crime.
Lloret would not say what prompted the investigation or who Hammer allegedly asked to commit the arson.
Lloret said investigators believe Hammer was a silent partner in the store, which sells expensive, collectible dolls. It ships orders to all 50 states.
Hammer allegedly wanted to burn down the store to collect insurance money, Lloret said. If convicted, Hammer could face up to 10 years in prison and a $125,000 fine.
He did say this case was a little unusual.
"It's one that we caught before the place burned down. We usually work on the other side of the fire."
LENGTH: Short : 37 linesby CNB