Police reports

The following accounts were taken from reports filed with the Columbia County Sheriff's office.

Arson investigation

Grovetown authorities are investigating a suspected case of first-degree arson that occurred Oct. 15 at a Grovetown home.

The fire at 531 Railroad Avenue was discovered around 9 a.m., according to department records. Grovetown Department of Public Safety officers responded and noticed that no one was living in the home and that the fire started at the back of the house.

Due to the fire's location and the home's abandoned status, officials believe the fire might have been set by someone, reports stated.

School burglary attempted

A Columbia County sheriff's deputy said he discovered an attempted burglary at Westmont Elementary School on Oct. 15.

While conducting a building check of the Oakley Pirkle Road school, Tommy C. Cooksey found two doors to a portable damaged, records showed. A pad lock had been struck on one of the doors. Someone had peeled sheet metal back on the second door and tried to pry it open, Cooksey said.

Sandra Black, the school's principal, was later notified of the incident. The case is being investigated for criminal attempt/burglary.

Mail deception reported

A Martinez woman received a suspicious letter Oct. 15 that requested her to respond back using her bank account information.

Betty June McGahee of the 3500 block of Carnoustie Drive said the letter was sent from a party in Nigeria stating that he was a representative from the Central Bank of Nigeria, reports showed. McGahee said the letter stated that the bank's excess funds would be wired into her bank account if she sent them her account number.

The case is considered criminal attempt/theft by deception.