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Media Release: Ritchie County man charged with setting fire to ex-girlfriend’s property

2/20/2019

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 20, 2019
Ritchie County man charged with setting fire to ex-girlfriend’s property
 
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office announces the arrest of a man on first-degree arson charges in connection with a fire set to a garage owned by his ex-girlfriend.
 
WVSFMO investigators determined Randy Allen Bartram, 41, of Smithville, Ritchie County, set a fire that damaged a two-car garage on Hazel Green Road in Smithville on Jan. 13.
 
Two different witnesses told investigators that Bartram had talked to them about setting fire to his estranged girlfriend’s property, just an hour before the fire occurred. Bartram further asked for a ride to where his ex-girlfriend was staying, and made threats there.

Bartram was arrested Feb. 13 and is currently in the North Central Regional Jail. He is likely facing future charges as the investigation continues.
 
This arrest resulted from a combined effort by WVSFMO investigator R.C. Ayersman and W.Va. State Police.
 
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