31-year-old David Lee Winthrop of Woodwinds Drive in Mooresville was arrested by Iredell County Sheriff’s Officers. He’s charged with two felony counts of burning personal property and single felony counts of first-degree arson and burning certain buildings.

According to a news release issued Wednesday (March 1), early on the morning of February 19, a call was received by Iredell County Emergency Communications about a fire in a home on Oak Brook Drive east of Mooresville. Several local fire departments responded to the scene.

As the fire was being contained, it was determined that the home was uninhabited, and no one was injured. Due to the suspicious nature of the origins of the fire, the Iredell County Fire Marshal’s Office and Iredell County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Deputies responded to the scene to begin a criminal investigation.

After interviewing witnesses, a potential suspect was identified as David Lee Winthrop, who lives in close proximity to the home that was burnt. Iredell County Sheriff’s Deputies also learned Winthrop had also made threats to burn his grandmother’s residence down with her in it and has reportedly been setting other small fires in the area.

A search was conducted at Winthrop’s home and evidence was reportedly found. Detectives interviewed additional witnesses who stated Winthrop had intentionally burned other items of personal property including trash cans and had attempted to burn another residence.

Winthrop was arrested last Wednesday, February 22, at his residence without incident. He was jailed in the Iredell County Detention Center under $75,000 secured bond. Winthrop remained in jail as of earlier today (March 2). A District Court date is scheduled for March 14.