PEA RIDGE — A car reported stolen Friday night was recovered within less than an hour, but the owner of the stolen car won't be getting her car back.

Late Friday, Aug. 14, Pea Ridge police received a report of an unattended vehicle stolen from Wright's car wash on North Curtis Avenue and issued an alert to area agencies to watch for the 1990 Honda Accord.

Soon after, a report was received of a car on fire on Old Wire Road northeast of town.

At 9:45 p.m., firefighters from Northeast Benton County Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched. They had the fire extinguished within 15 minutes.

Firefighters found the car completely engulfed in flames. It is owned by Mary Elizabeth Ash of Rogers.

Benton County Fire Marshal Will Hanna said the fire was incendiary in nature.

Area, Pages 9 on 08/19/2009