Two suspects are in custody facing arson charges and a third remains at large in connection with a March 26 fire in Fannin County.
Aaron Manual Kaylor, 35, of 837 New Stansbury Road, Turtletown, remained in the Fannin County jail this week under a $12,500 bond. He is charged with Arson-First Degree, and Reckless Conduct.
Tristen Gregory Stratton, 26, of 454 Fleenor Road, Blairsville, was held in the Polk County jail on charges of Criminal Impersonation, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Fugitive From Justice. He was held without bond on the Fugitive From Justice charge, and was to be extradited to Fannin County to face warrants charging him with Arson-First Degree, and Reckless Conduct.
Investigator Erin Sehl of the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office said both are charged with setting a fire that destroyed a pickup truck at 3600 Old Highway 5.
She said a neighbor reported seeing a fireball and witnessed a black Dodge Ram truck leaving the area.
A BOLO (be-on-the-lookout) was immediately issued for the truck.
Assistant Chief Cory Collogan of the McCaysville Police Department said Officer Jordan Wright spotted the truck on West Tennessee Avenue and attempted a traffic stop. The driver, a female, failed to stop and continued west, headed out of town toward the Mobile section of Fannin County.
Collogan said he caught up with the two vehicles and the Dodge truck finally stopped on Old Mobile Road.
Kaylor was initially charged with the crime. Upon further investigation, Stratton and the female were also charged.
Thursday, April 6, Collogan said Deputy David Barnes of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office made a traffic stop and came into contact with Stratton. However, Stratton gave a false name.
Barnes checked the suspect’s identity with McCaysville authorities, Collogan was able to identify him as Stratton, and Barnes immediately took him into custody.
Stratton was still jailed in Polk County Monday morning.
At the time of Kaylor’s arrest, Polk County inmate records show he was free under a $500 bond for Simple Possession of Methamphetamine. Those records also show open cases for Failure to Appear (Violation of Probation), Failure to Appear (Assault, Domestic) and Possession of Methamphetamine.