Insurance Fraud Cited As Motive For Fire That Destroyed Home, Killed Dog

Police have charged a Thomasville man with arson in a house fire last month that authorities say stemmed from insurance fraud.

Donnie Allen Harmon, 33, of Thomasville was arrested Thursday, the Thomasville Police Department said.

When Thomasville Fire Department crews arrived at 101 Veach Court on April 11, the house was fully engulfed in flames. It was destroyed. The family was not home, but the family dog died in the fire.

Harmon is charged with two counts of felonious insurance fraud and one count each of felonious burning of personal property, felonious cruelty to animals, first-degree arson and fraudulent burning of a dwelling. Thomasville police say that the first-degree arson charge is a result of the neighbor's residence sustaining fire damage.

No details about what investigators think Harmon did was released.

Harmon was also served with an outstanding warrant out of Henrico County, Virginia, for embezzlement and felony larceny.

Bond was set at $100,000 secured for the Virginia charges and $150,000 secured for the charges related to the fire. Harmon was in the Davidson County Jail as of Thursday afternoon.