Torching of Camaro 'not a random act'

Conrad Parent

FARMINGTON, N.H. - Farmington Police said today that the man who started a car fire that spread to and damaged a downtown building knew the owner of the car he allegedly set fire to.

"This was not a random act," said Farmington Police Chief Jay Drury today.

Conrad Parent, 33, who is thought to have grown up in Rochester, was charged Friday with arson.

He is alleged to have set the Chevrolet Camaro ablaze around 4:45 p.m. on Thursday The fire quickly spread to a three-story building at 480 Main St.
The Camaro was parked on a side alley within a foot of the building allowing the fire to spread easily, Drury added.

Drury said he couldn't comment on a possible motive for the incident, since the investigation is ongoing.

Parent is well known to Farmington Police with previous convictions for indecent exposure, criminal threatening, simple assault, drug possession and resisting arrest.

He faces arraignment on the arson charge later today in Rochester District Court.