Executive Summary
- Sheriff’s Office seeks unidentified white male regarding an arson case.
- Incident occurred on December 19 at 4:30 p.m. off County Road 4790.
- Public urged to contact Lt. David Haley or Smith County Crime Stoppers.
SAN AUGUSTINE COUNTY, Texas – The San Augustine County Sheriff’s Office has requested public assistance in identifying a suspect connected to an arson investigation in a rural section of the county. According to law enforcement officials, investigators are seeking to identify a white male believed to be involved in the incident.
The suspected arson occurred at approximately 4:30 p.m. on December 19. Authorities stated that the incident took place off County Road 4790 within San Augustine County. The Sheriff’s Office has not released specific details regarding the extent of the property damage at this stage of the inquiry.
Lieutenant David Haley is leading the investigation and has urged anyone who recognizes the individual or has relevant information to come forward. Members of the public can contact Lieutenant Haley directly at 903-275-2424. Alternatively, anonymous tips can be submitted to Smith County Crime Stoppers at 936-639-8477 or through their website.
Investigative Outlook
Arson investigations in rural jurisdictions often rely heavily on community tips and witness accounts to establish timelines and identify suspects, particularly when forensic evidence may be compromised by the nature of the crime. Law enforcement is currently prioritizing the identification of the person of interest to determine the motive behind the fire. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
