A New London man is facing charges of arson after police said he used an improvised explosive device to blow up the tailpipe and exhaust system of a parked car at a King Arthur Drive home last week.
Rahjon Moses, 27, was charged Aug. 17 with fourth-degree arson following a joint investigation conducted by the Richmond Police Department, the Rhode Island State Fire Marshal and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. He was arraigned in 4th Division District Court the following day and remains in state custody after he was unable to post a $20,000 court-set bond, according to judicial records.
Police said the investigation revealed that the attack was not random and appeared to be motivated by a financial dispute between Moses and the victim, who was not identified.
According to police reports, Moses had gone to the home around 3 a.m. on Aug. 16 and detonated an improvised explosive device in the car’s tailpipe. The explosion caused extensive damage to the tailpipe and muffler system, leaving the car unusable, police said.