DECATUR COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) - A man was arrested in Decatur County after attempting to set the courthouse on fire.

According to the Bainbridge Public Safety (BPS), a man later identified as 32-year-old Eldrick Tyrone Jacobs II, was arrested Monday morning after attempting to set fire to the Decatur County Courthouse.

According to officials, a motorist driving past the courthouse at around 6 a.m. noticed a suspicious man sitting on the steps reading a book while flames blazed around him. The motorist immediately notified local authorities.

Responding authorities were able to extinguish the fire and take Jacobs into custody.

According to BPS Chief Investigator Mark Esquivel, Jacobs peacefully surrendered and admitted to setting two sets of doors on fire.

The sheriff’s office reports finding a lighter and lighter fluid at the scene. They also say that Jacobs was thoroughly questioned by officials, and surveillance footage corroborated his involvement.

Jacobs is facing a felony charge of first-degree arson, and if convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison with fines reaching $50,000.

This is an active investigation between both DCSO and BPS.

Cleanup efforts began promptly to try to remove the smoke damage from the courthouse’s antique doors.

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