Teddy Kulmala
Staff writer
PEMBROKE — A Pembroke man has been accused of setting fire to the home in which his ex-girlfriend and son were staying, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Harry James Locklear, 33, was charged with first-degree arson, first-degree burglary, three counts of injury to personal property, misdemeanor breaking and entering, two counts of domestic order violation and misdemeanor larceny. He was placed in the Robeson County jail under $176,000 bond.
According to sheriff’s Lt. Brian Duckworth, an arson investigator, Locklear poured gasoline on a wooden door in the bonus room of Michelle Oxendine’s home on Deep Branch Road about 6:30 a.m. on April 7. Oxendine, her young son and an adult female who was visiting at the time all escaped without injury, Duckworth said. About $9,000 worth of damage was done to the home.
Locklear also scratched the paint and slashed the tires on three vehicles parked outside the home, causing “several thousand dollars” damage to each, according to Duckworth.
Locklear had come by the home two times earlier that night, Duckworth said.
“He said he was trying to scare her,” Duckworth said. “He doesn’t wake her up after he sets the fire; he sets the fire and leaves.”
Locklear was originally charged with multiple domestic order violations and placed in jail under $200,000, but because Oxendine wasn’t present at his first appearance on Monday, he was given credit for time served and the bond was reduced, Duckworth said. The charges associated with the fire were then added, he said.
According to the N.C. Department of Correction, Locklear has a drug charge from June 2002.
Post a Comment
