Authorities turn to takeout to solve county arson case

Albemarle County’s fire marshal is asking for the public’s help in identifying a pizza box of unknown origin found at a recent arson incident.

The pizza box was found at the scene of the arson and vandalism that occurred June 16 on construction equipment being used to build the Meadowcreek Parkway.

The box is square, white and features red lettering that says: “Fresh Oven Baked Pizza … Its Delicious!!!”

“If they can determine where the pizza box came from,” county spokeswoman Lee Catlin said, “they might be able to track it.”

The construction equipment, which was owned by Faulconer Construction Co. and other subcontractors, sustained some $110,000 in damage in the incident. A backhoe was among the equipment damaged in the blaze that took place at a staging area on Melbourne Road near the Charlottesville High School football field.

The county’s fire marshal is leading the investigation with assistance from county police and the FBI.

County officials have said that there is no indication that the arson and vandalism were connected to any organized group. No one has claimed responsibility.