News

Man arrested for threatening to burn down City Hall

A 35-year-old Alexandria man is being held without bond after allegedly threatening to burn down city hall.

Michael Drexel was booked in jail on March 12 and charged with threats to bomb or damage buildings or means of transportation.

On March 8, Drexel allegedly “made threats to harm city employees and law enforcement officers,” according to a search warrant affidavit.

Police called Drexel on his phone and spoke with him for about an hour.

“During that conversation, Mr. Drexel stated, ‘If City Hall was open, I’d walk inside and burn it down right now,'” police reported in the search warrant. “Mr. Drexel made numerous other threatening statements during the phone conversation.”

Warrants for Drexel’s arrest were granted on March 9.

“When officers attempted to serve the Emergency Custody Oder on Mr. Drexel, he fled the scene heading northbound on (Interstate) 395,” police said.

The offense is a Class 5 felony punishable by up to a year in prison and/or a $2,500 fine.

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.