Ozark woman jailed for arson

Published 7:48 pm Tuesday, April 2, 2024

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An Ozark woman has been charged with domestic violence and arson after an incident in the Tarentum community.

Pike County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. David Thomas said deputies responded to a domestic violence call in the 1900 block of County Road 3329 in Tarentum on March 27. When deputies arrived, Thomas said they made contact with Clara Crittendon, 44, of  Ozark. Thomas said deputies were told by Crittendon that a couple was fighting in the residence. When deputies went to the residence, Crittendon left the scene.

Clara Crittendon

Thomas said deputies contacted the victim in the residence and learned Crittendon was the suspect. Thomas aid deputies attempted to pursue Crittendon but were unable to locate her. Thomas said the deputies returned to the residence to gather more information. When they arrived back at the scene, the residence was completely engulfed in flames.

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Thomas said further investigation revealed that Crittendon has been recorded on security cameras.

Thomas said the investigation revealed that Crittendon was involved in a relationship with the victim, who had a second girlfriend. Thomas said the second woman showed up at the scene, but fled. Crittendon then allegedly attacked the victim with a knife and set the house on fire.

Thomas said Crittendon was located at her residence in Ozark on March 28. Thomas said he went with Dale County Sheriff’s Office deputies to serve an arrest warrant, but Crittendon barricaded herself in the residence and refused to come out. Thomas said they had to wait about four hours to receive a search warrant from Dale County to enter the residence and arrest Crittendon. She was charged with second-degree arson and second-degree domestic violence and remains in the Pike County Jail on a $50,000 bond for arson and a $10,000 bond for domestic violence.