Vermont Business Magazine On May 1, 2017, The Vermont State Police Fire Investigation Unit responded to the Shady Lawn Motel at 687 Maple Street in White River Junction. In the early morning hours of May 1, at approximately 4:44 AM, two attempts at setting fires to the back of the Shady Lawn Motel were attempted. Although damage was minimal to the motel, it was determined that two separate, but distinct areas of origin were located along the back side of the motel. Gasoline was used as an accelerant in the attempts to burn the motel, however the fire spread to the leaves below and the smoke alerted the occupants who called 911. Damage to the motel was limited to soot and smoke deposits, but there were several occupants in the building at the time of the fire. With the assistance of Hartford City Fire Marshal Mike Bedard, a lengthy investigation led to Sean K. Runnals being identified as a suspect through DNA and fingerprint analysis.
On October 16, 2017 Sean Runnals, who is currently incarcerated at the Southern State Correctional Center on un-related charges, was issued a citation to appear in Windsor County Superior Court on November 7, 2017 at 8 AM. Anyone having additional information regarding this fire investigation is asked to please contact Detective Sergeant Todd Ambroz at 802-878-7111 OR by contacting the Vermont Arson Tip Award Program (VATAP) at 1-800-322-7766. VATAP provides monetary awards up to $5000 for information that leads to the identity of an arsonist.
Case # 17A101932
Fire Investigators: Detective Sergeant Todd Ambroz –Williston Barracks, Detective Sergeant Tom Williams-Rutland Barracks, both of the Vermont State Police Fire Investigation Unit, and Hartford Fire Marshal Mike Bedard.
Date/Time: May 1, 2017 at approximately 4:44 AM
Incident Location: Shady Lawn Motel, 687 Maple Street, White River Junction, VT
Violation: 1st Degree Arson, Title 13 VSA 502
Accused: Sean K. Runnals
Age: 33
City, State of Residence: Hartford, VT
Victim: Shady Lawn Motel, which is owned by Jalaram Hospitality, and managed by Kalpesh Patel – age 44.
Court Action: Yes
Court Date/Time: November 7, 2017 at 8AM
Court: Windsor County Superior Court
Lodged: Already incarcerated for unrelated offense
Bail: NA
Mug Shot: No
Source: VSP 10.16.2017. Contact: 802-878-7111