Teen charged with arson after suspicious Clover fires

Police have charged a 16-year-old Clover boy with setting fire to his own home, along with two others houses in the city.

Matthew Thomas Adkins, 16, of Pressley Street is charged with three counts of third-degree arson and three counts of first-degree burglary.

A series of Clover house fires were investigated last week, beginning March 8 and continuing through Saturday.

In Saturday’s fire, police say Adkins’ father saw him coming into his own home at 212 Pressley St. at the same time the blaze was reported. Three other people were at home at the time of the fire, but Clover Police Chief Randy Grice said at a news conference Monday, “They were awake and able to get out of the house.”

The family has been “very cooperative,” Grice said.

Clover police assisted Clover firefighters at a house fire March 8 at 209 Calhoun St., according to a news release. While in the area, officers noticed smoke coming from a neighboring house at 404 Smith St. The York County Department of Fire Safety considered the blazes suspicious and investigated.

On March 9, a homeowner at 208 Pressley St. reported a burglary, the release states. Police believed the crimes to be related.

Investigators identified Adkins as a person of interest, the release states.

Last Thursday, investigators conducted a search of the home with the cooperation of the homeowners and collected evidence linking Adkins to the crime scenes.

Two days later, officers responded to a call for a housefire at Adkins’ home. The fire Saturday night was determined to be suspicious, said Clover Fire Chief Charlie Love.

Clover police investigated, as did the York County Fire Marshal’s Office and the State Law Enforcement Division.

The SLED investigation into Saturday’s fire led to Adkins’ arrest.

“I’m very relieved we’ve got him in custody, and neighbors can sleep better tonight,” Grice said during a news conference Monday.

Grice wouldn’t elaborate on a motive, but said Adkins “did admit to it.”

Adkins is believed to be the sole person responsible for the crimes, authorities say. Grice said Adkins may have behavioral and psychological issues.

Police are investing three other fires in the last six months in Clover, Grice said.

In a court hearing Monday, Adkins was denied bond on all six charges, according to York County court records.

He will be charged as an adult, authorities say.

Adkins was approved for a public defender Monday, but York County Chief Public Defender Harry Dest said his office has not yet been contacted about the charges.

Arson carries up to 15 years per count, and burglary carries as much as 30 years in prison.

This story was originally published March 16, 2015 at 2:20 PM with the headline "Teen charged with arson after suspicious Clover fires."