LOWNDES COUNTY, FL (WTXL) - Deputies have arrested a man they believe set fire to a Valdosta home.
Lowndes County Sheriff's Office said that they received an alert about a fire inside a home that was under construction around 3 a.m. on Wednesday.
Lowndes County Fire/Rescue and deputies from the Sheriff's Office responded to the home located on Summer Hill Place in Valdosta. They said they noted that the windows of the home had been broken before the fire and quickly determined that the fire was an arson.
During the investigation of the scene, detectives said they were able to find evidence that tied 31-year-old Jarod Medbery, who lived in the area, to the arson.
When they searched his home, they found out that Medbery had left his 4-year-old child unattended around 1:30 a.m. that morning to go to a convenience store. They also found a small amount of pot inside his home.
Medbery was arrested and taken to the Lowndes County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday afternoon for an bond hearing. He has been charged with arson, criminal damage to property, possession of marijuana, and reckless conduct.
“The loss suffered by the home builder is bad enough but I am thankful for the quick actions of the complainant who noticed the fire and called 9-1-1. Their actions no doubt saved this home from total destruction” said Lowndes County Sheriff Chris Prine.
Anyone with information Jarod Medbery, or this incident can contact the Sheriff’s Office at (229) 671-2950; or anonymous tips can be provided at (229) 671-2985 or online here.
