Suspect in Marijuana Blaze Reportedly Had Ammo and Police Gear

Like an onion, the story of a house fire In Novato last week keeps exposing layer after layer of possible criminal intent.

Roy Mark Ward

Shortly before midnight on Mon., March 11, the Novato Fire Department was summoned to 1813 Marlon Ave. to thwart a structure fire. Sensing what they thought was a “marijuana growing operation,” the Novato Police Department was called in.

According to a Bay City News report on Patch, the residence was unoccupied but contained a marijuana growing operation, police said.

The fire began in the basement was controlled at 11:53 p.m., Novato Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Bill Tyler said.

The home’s electrical system bypassed the PG&E meter and the fire appears to be electrical in nature, Tyler said.

The following day, the property owner, Rory Mark Ward, who turned 59 this week, was arrested in San Rafael during a traffic stop on suspicion of cultivation of marijuana and theft of utility services, police said.

Read the full story on Novato.Patch.com