Deputies have arrested four people in connection with a mobile home fire last week in Habersham County. The suspects allegedly used fireworks to start the blaze during a family dispute.
The fire broke out just before 10 p.m. on June 8 at 311 Lakeside Circle in Cornelia. It destroyed the 30-year-old, 900-square-foot mobile home where some of the family members were living.
After examining the scene and interviewing witnesses, investigators ruled the fire was arson.
“According to our investigation, fireworks were used to set the inside of the residence on fire from the outside,” says Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King.
The tenant, Jeremy Crocker, told responding deputies that one of the suspects, Maliki Crocker, threw two fireworks into his window. He said he chased Crocker to a car and saw he was with other people he recognized.
Jeremy Crocker then stated he “tripped and fell down before he could get to them, and called 911 when he got back up,” the incident report states.
The fire quickly spread through the mobile home and firefighters were unable to save it. There were no reports of any injuries.
Suspects arrested
According to a spokesperson for Commissioner King, the suspects and victim are related. “This appears to be the result of a dispute between family members,” says Weston Burleson.
Deputies arrested Kayley Crocker, 21, and Maliki Crocker, 18, on June 9 and charged them with first-degree arson and aggravated assault.
Deputies also arrested Courtney Crocker, 20, and Timothy Chase Goetchius, 19, for allegedly lying to investigators and helping the other two suspects flee the scene. They were charged with obstruction of an officer and being a party to a crime.
The State Fire Investigations Unit worked with Habersham County Emergency Services and the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the case.
A judge set Courtney Crocker’s bond at $2300 and Goetchius’ at $5600. The judge denied bond for Maliki and Kayley Crocker. They’re being held in the Habersham County Detention Center.
This article has been updated with additional information
