A 51-year-old Alto man remains jailed for arson after allegedly setting fire to his car.
Deputies arrested John Michael McConnell on March 10 in south Habersham County. At approximately 5:12 p.m. that day, 911 received a report of a vehicle fire at the intersection of Crane Mill Road and Cedar Creek Drive.
When officers arrived, they saw McConnell walking away from the 2012 Nissan Altima that was sitting disabled and burning near the entrance to Cedar Creek subdivision. Authorities who stopped and questioned him reported smelling a “strong odor” of alcohol.
According to the incident report, McConnell refused to admit he was driving. He reportedly told officers a woman he picked up to give a ride to was driving and said he did not know her name. When the vehicle broke down, McConnell said he called his wife to pick him up.
Authorities say they found the car key in McConnell’s pocket and his shoes in the driver’s side floorboard. Deputies also reported finding a cold, open container of beer in the car.
“No witnesses saw this mysterious female,” the report states.
The investigating deputy concluded McConnell was driving. When he refused a field sobriety test, the deputy arrested him.
According to the State Fire Marshal’s Office, McConnell tried to destroy the vehicle by placing a shirt in the car’s fuel spout and igniting it.
In addition to second-degree arson, authorities charged McConnell with DUI, pedestrian under the influence of alcohol or drugs, open container, and improper stopping.
A judge denied bond for McConnell. As of March 16, he remained in the Habersham County Detention Center.
