Small Fire Set Outside Watkinsville Convenience Store, Two Charged

Watkinsville police on Thursday charged two men in connection with the setting of a small fire outside of a local convenience store at the end of March.

According to a news release from Police Chief Lee O'Dillon, at 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 27, the clerk on duty at Golden Pantry on Greensboro Highway said he saw two men standing in front of the store and noticed what he thought was cigarette smoke. But, after the men left, the clerk told officers he could still see the smoke so he went outside to investigate.

Someone had poured a flammable liquid onto some articles of clothing and set it on fire, O'Dillon said. The fire burned itself out but it had been set near stacked firewood, propane fuel tanks, and gasoline pumps, he explained.

Officers charged Caleb S. Daniels, 18, of Watkinsville, and Ben D. Hobbs, 27, of Winder with reckless conduct. Both were booked and posted $1,000 bonds the same day.

Don’t miss any Oconee news. Subscribe to Oconee Patch’s free newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.