Results 1 to 2 of 2

Thread: Man charged with arson after Lake Gaston homes burn

  1. #1

    Man charged with arson after Lake Gaston homes burn

    http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/5018815/

    http://www.myspace.com/prayingmantis88





    Littleton, N.C. — Halifax County sheriff's deputies arrested a man Friday in connection with what they described as an overnight spree of break-ins and arsons that destroyed two houses on a cul-de-sac in the Lake Shore subdivision.

    Benjamin Robert Davis, 30, of Rocky Mount, was charged with three counts of second-degree arson; two each counts of felony larceny, larceny after breaking and entering and damage to property; and one count each of misdemeanor attempted breaking and entering, felony larceny from a fire truck and communicating threats to law enforcement and firefighters.

    Littleton firefighters found one home on Pine Wood Court engulfed in flames around 12:15 a.m. Friday, said Lt. Bobby Martin, of the Halifax County Sheriff's Office.

    While crews were battling the blaze, the fire chief saw a man take a hose from the fire truck and carry it into a house a few lots over from the fire, Martin said. When confronted by deputies, the man – who authorities identified as Davis – threatened to shoot the deputies and firefighters and was then arrested.

    Martin said that a deputy next heard crackling and popping sounds coming from another house and saw smoke coming from it when he pointed his flashlight at the house.

    Both homes were destroyed, but no one was there at the time, and no injuries were reported.

    Bill Vaughan, of Wilson, came later Friday to look at his vacation home, which the fire completely destroyed.

    "Nothing  is like actually seeing it. And I was just totally devastated," Vaughan said. "I had run it through my memory so many times as to our time up here."

    Investigators believe that Davis broke into one home, stole a fire poker and then set the house on fire. He used the fire poker to smash windows at two other houses that were broken into, setting fire to them, and tried to break into a fourth house, authorities said.

    Arson experts with the State Bureau of Investigation helped the Littleton Volunteer Fire Department and Halifax County Sheriff's Office examine the evidence at the scene Friday. Martin said that resident Dorothy Rightmeyer "truly went above and beyond" by giving investigators food and drink throughout the day.

    Investigators haven't released a motive in the case, and Vaughan said he couldn't think of any disputes Davis had with neighbors. Deputies said that Davis appeared intoxicated at the time of his arrest, but no alcohol tests were done.

    His father, Robbie Davis, chairman of the Nash County Board of Commissioners, apologized to the neighbors who lost their homes.

    Robbie Davis said that his son has a history of anxiety and panic attacks and takes medication. Relatives didn't know Davis was at the family summer house on Pine Woods Court, his father said.

    Davis was being held in the Halifax County Jail under a $1 million bond Friday evening. His first court date was set for June 10.

    Martin said deputies planned to serve him with outstanding warrants from Nash County. There was no word Friday afternoon on what charges he faced in those warrants.

    Davis also faces charges in Rocky Mount where, police say, he became irate with Wal-Mart workers and set a fire in the women's clothing section, then broke into three vehicles, stole one and tried to flee from police early Oct. 9, 2008. Police also charged him with DWI that day.

    According to state Department of Correction records, Davis spent 1 year and 3 months in prison after being convicted of common-law robbery and drug possession in March 2006. He was also convicted of DWI and driving on a revoked license in 2002.

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Posts
    304
    Rep Power
    43226

    Re: Man charged with arson after Lake Gaston homes burn

    Darnit! The profile is private.  

    Status message : Ben living life on the dented can aisle

    His headline is a bit telling maybe?
     
    "Sometimes its perfectly acceptable to kill a fly with a sledge hammer"

    Male
    30 years old
    ROCKY MOUNT, North Carolina
    United States



    Last Login: 4/23/2009

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •