Arson Arrest Made In Crowley

A 32-year-old Crowley man has been accused of setting two structure fires which occurred this past weekend in Stutes Edition within the city of Crowley. The first fire began shortly before 3:00 am on January 8, 2011. This fire occurred at the residence of 1815 James Street and took the life of Brian Alcock. The second fire occurred on January 10, 2011 at 1816 May St., shortly after 2:00 am. No injuries occurred in this incident.

Working with information of a possible arson on both cases, Crowley Police Investigators conducted an interview of a potential suspect. During the interview, it was determined that both listed fires were in fact arsons which were committed at the hands of the suspect.

“Our investigators did an excellent job in resolving this case very quickly. They took information presented to them and ran with it. The suspect, who is in our custody, confessed to the arson on the residences in Stutes Edition here in Crowley,” Stated Chief of Police K.P. Gibson.

The suspect, identified as Jeffery James Cart, 32 of Crowley has been charged with 1 counts of Aggrevated Arson stemming from the incident which occurred on May Street and 1 count of second degree murder stemming from the incident which occurred on James St. According to state law, second degree murder includes the act of arson, thus the reason no arson charges will be filed in the James Street case.

Crowley Police have worked this case in conjunction with the 15^th Judicial District Attorney’s Office and the State Fire Marshal’s Office.