An alert Beaufort County investigator is being credited with an arson arrest in the east.

22-year-old James Atkins III of Washington was arrested by the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office on November 3rd. He’s been charged with 2nd Degree Arson and Felony Breaking and Entering.

While in his personal car, we’re told Investigator Greg Rowe saw a vehicle with one passenger that was parked at an abandoned residence at the intersection of Yeatesville and Sidney Road. Rowe returned home to get a Sheriff’s Office car and on his way back, the Sheriff’s Office received a call about a fire at the same residence. Rowe would return to find the home on fire, and the suspicious vehicle traveling north on Yeatesville Road.

Rowe would stop the vehicle they say was driven by 30-year-old Tiffany Cornelius of Pinetown. Officials say Atkins was in the passenger seat and would eventually admit to setting the fire.

Cornelius was also arrested and charged with No Operator’s License and Possession of an Open Container.

Atkins was given a $20,500 secured bond. Cornelius was held on a $500 secured bond.