Woman Arrested for Norcross Shopping Center Arson

Gwinnett County Fire Investigators have arrested a Macon woman and charged her with intentionally setting fire to two Norcross businesses.  

Barbara Ann Stevenson, 48, was arrested by the Gwinnett County Fire Investigators and U.S. Marshall on Thursday, July 28, according to a release. Investigators say that she tried to torch the entrance doors to two businesses in the strip center at 5060 Avalon Ridge Parkway sometime between May 6 and 9.

The damage was limited to the exterior of both businesses. Employees reported the incident to the Gwinnett County Fire Dept. when they arrived at work on Monday morning, according to the release.

“We are fortunate that both businesses were closed at the time; and that the fires did not spread further.  There was certainly potential for loss of life or heavy damage to property,” said Gwinnett Fire Captain Tommy Rutledge in a released statement.

Though they have not released the specifics of the case, investigators say they found “sufficient evidence” to link the woman to the fires. She has been charged with two counts of first-degree arson, two counts of terroristic threats/acts and one count of criminal trespassing.