Arson in Belhaven Area

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Published: Wednesday, November 7th, 2012 @ 7:55 pm
By: Stan Deatherage ( More Entries )

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For Immediate Release:

On November 3, 2012 at approximately 11:08 p.m., Investigator Greg Rowe with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division was traveling on Yeatesville Road in Belhaven in his personal vehicle. As Rowe turned onto Sidney Road, he observed a suspicious vehicle with one occupant at an abandoned residence at the intersection of Yeatesville Road and Sidney Road. Rowe contacted the Sheriff’s Office and reported the suspicious vehicle. A Patrol Deputy was dispatched to the area.

Inv. Rowe retrieved his assigned Sheriff’s Office vehicle from his home and responded back to the abandoned residence to investigate. While Rowe was driving back, the Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call about a fire at the same abandoned residence. When Inv. Rowe arrived, he observed a fire at the residence and the suspicious vehicle traveling north on Yeatesville Road.

Tiffany Nicole Cornelius

James Marvin Atkins III

    Inv. Rowe caught up to the vehicle and noticed that it now had two occupants. Rowe activated his emergency lights and conducted a traffic stop. Rowe spoke to the occupants about their reasons for being at the residence. The driver showed signs of alcohol use and the passenger denied stopping at the abandoned residence. During the stop, Patrol Deputy E. Davis arrived to assist. The passenger later admitted to setting the fire.

    Local volunteer fire fighters responded to the residence and extinguished the fire. As a (more)result of the investigation, Inv. Rowe arrested James Marvin Atkins III, age 22, of Bright Road #1 in Washington and charged him with 2nd Degree Arson, Felony Breaking and Entering, and Possession of an Open Container. The driver, Tiffany Nicole Cornelius, age 30, of Boyd Loop Road in Pinetown was arrested and charged with No Operator’s License and Possession of an Open Container. Atkins was held in the Beaufort County Detention Center on a $20,500.00 secured bond. Cornelius was held on a $500.00 secured bond.

    Major Kenneth L. Watson
      Beaufort County Sheriff's Office

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