Mark Allen Cox
(Walhalla, SC)--------------------------------------The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Walhalla man yesterday on charges of First Degree Burglary and Arson – 2nd Degree.
56 year old Mark Allen Cox was booked into the Oconee County Detention Center around 12:20pm Thursday. At this time, Cox remains in custody at the Detention Center. Cox received a $10,000 surety bond on the Arson charge. He has yet to have a bond hearing on the First Degree Burglary charge. Cox has also been served a warrant for a Violation of Probation.
Deputies from the Uniform Patrol Division were dispatched to reports of a structure fire on Marvs Drive near Walhalla early Thursday morning. Deputies observed mattresses on fire outside of one address on Marvs Drive and observed smoke coming out of the window of a mobile home.
Firefighters made their way inside the residence to extinguish the fire. During that process, they observed a subject inside. After entering the mobile home, deputies and officers heard someone yelling inside. Deputies continued to try to make contact but the subject would not respond.
Upon further investigation, a subject was located inside the restroom with an active fire burning in the same room. After a short struggle, the subject, identified as Cox, was taken into custody.
Paramedics were called to the scene to conduct an evaluation of Cox, who was eventually transported to the hospital for further examination. Cox was released and transported to the Detention Center.
According to arrest warrants obtained by the Sheriff’s Office, Cox is accused of entering the dwelling at night, without consent and with the intent to commit a crime while inside. Cox is also accused of setting fire to the interior of the vacant mobile home.
The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation. The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank our law enforcement partners with the Walhalla Police Department and the West Union Police Department for their assistance in our investigation.