TRAVERSE CITY (WWJ) - A Northern Michigan woman was charged with arson in a disturbing incident last Thursday where police said she intentionally set fire to a tent in a homeless encampment --- while a man was inside.
As reported by 9&10 News, the Grand Traverse County Prosecutor announced earlier this week that the suspect, Tabitha Dunlop, was facing charges of arson, in addition to possession of a taser, in the May 18th incident.
According to Traverse City Police Department Capt. Matt Richmond, authorities were contacted around 11:12 p.m. that Thursday evening with multiple callers reporting a suspected wildfire in the 600 block of South Division Street in Traverse City, in an area commonly known as “the Pines."
The Pines is a wooded area near Women's Trail where people who are experiencing homelessness tend to set up camp.
By the time firefighters arrived at the scene, the fire had already burned through the campsite and nearby brush.
Police said a 38-year-old man who was inside the tent when the blaze broke out was able to escape and walked away from the fire unharmed.
According to their investigation, police found that a 40-year-old woman, identified as Dunlop, had intentionally poured gasoline onto the campfire and then doused the tent with the man inside -- she then ran away before authorities arrived.
She was located by police and arrested. When police searched her belongings, they located a stun gun in her backpack, prompting the additional charge of possession of a portable device or weapon directing electrical current, impulse, wave or beam.
Dunlop was lodged at the Grand Traverse County Jail while awaiting her arraignment.
At this time, it is unclear why the 40-year-old woman allegedly set fire to the campsite. Dunlop is due back in court on June 1.