A Summerville man accused of setting fire to a Gordon County home with a woman and small child inside early Saturday morning is now in custody.
The Gordon County Sheriff’s Office said both victims “barely escaped with their lives,” and the house was completely destroyed in the blaze. Investigators say they have collected substantial evidence linking 46-year-old Charles Timothy Battles to the fire.
Battles had been on the run since Saturday morning, and deputies warned the public that he was considered dangerous. He was taken into custody after a deputy located him inside a home in the Scottsville community, aided by tips from local residents.
Battles is charged with two counts of attempted murder, one count of arson, and aggravated stalking. Authorities say he was already on probation after pleading guilty to a previous aggravated stalking charge in October.
Sheriff Mitch Ralston praised the coordinated effort to locate the suspect.
“It was important that this matter be resolved quickly given the nature and severity of these crimes. Everyone involved worked around the clock to bring this defendant in, and now he will be held accountable in our courts,” Ralston said.
Before his arrest, the sheriff’s office had asked the public for help locating Battles, describing him as approximately 5’7″ and 200 pounds. He was last seen early Saturday near Johnson Drive and Boone Ford Road.
Officials say the investigation remains active.