ALBEMARLE, N.C. — A man has been charged with setting several fires in Albemarle overnight. Officers with the Albemarle Police Department say they responded to an alarm on N. Second Street around midnight. Upon arrival, officers noticed the building beside Hartsell Funeral Home was on fire. Firefighters responded to the scene and were able to save the building from burning completely down.
Officers also found a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee on fire behind the business, according to a news release. While responding to the other fires, another officer noticed a dumpster was on fire behind City Hall. Then officers responded to Stanly County Library in reference to an utility pole being on fire in the parking lot.
Officers and detectives quickly canvassed the areas and were able to stop and talk to numerous people, according to a news release.
After several interviews, Alex Arias was arrested and charged with setting the fires. Police say they also determined Arias is responsible for the fire that was reported at Garmon Mechanical on April 5th.
Alex Arias
Arias has been charged with five counts of felony burning of personal property, felony second degree arson, felony breaking and entering a motor vehicle and felony larceny after breaking and entering. He received a $15,000 bond and will appear in court on April 29th.
