Arson, robbery charges filed
Published 11:03 am Wednesday, October 12, 2011
GASTON — Two Roanoke Rapids men are facing arson and robbery charges after they allegedly broke into a home near here and attempted to set it on fire.
According to Northampton County Sheriff’s Detective Lt. Brenda Burnette, David Davenport and Steven Bedgood stand charged with the crime that occurred Aug. 21.
Burnette said on Aug. 21 the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office received a call about a man in the roadway with burns to his hands.
As emergency responders were heading to the scene, another call reported the break in and attempted arson to the home in Gaston.
“It didn’t take long for investigators to connect the two investigations,” Burnette said.
An investigation resulted in the arrests of Davenport and Bedgood, both charged with larceny of firearms, three counts of possession of stolen goods property, breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, breaking and entering of a motor vehicle, felony larceny, second degree arson and injury to real property.
The men were placed in the Northampton County Jail on a $30,000 secured bond each. Their probable cause hearing is set for Nov. 3.
Burnette said there was some damage to the home, but the fire smothered out before it could do more damage. The owner was not home at the time.
“The owner was fortunate enough to retrieve all of the items taken during the robbery,” Burnette said.
She thanked the officers who assisted with the investigation, including Deputy Dwayne Carter, Deputy Mann and the Gaston Police Department. Burnette also thanked Ahoskie Police Department Lt. Jeremy Roberts who assisted with the investigation of the scene. Roberts is trained in processing a crime scene when the State Bureau of Investigation cannot respond.