Jacksonville, AL — Two people have been arrested and charged with first-degree arson following a fire that destroyed the Dollar General store on Pelham Road South in Jacksonville, Alabama. The Jacksonville Police and Fire Departments held a joint press conference Monday to provide details about the investigation and the swift arrests made within 48 hours of the incident.
Photos released by authorities include mugshots of the suspects and images taken during their arrests Monday afternoon at about 4 p.m. in Anniston.
Incident Overview
Jacksonville Police Chief Marcus Wood said the fire was reported at approximately 1:20 p.m. on Saturday, September 6, at the Dollar General located at 619 Pelham Road South. Firefighters arrived on scene within minutes and found the store fully engulfed in flames.
As fire crews worked to extinguish the blaze, they quickly determined the fire was not accidental. Jacksonville police began collecting evidence and conducting interviews with witnesses, store clerks, and Dollar General management. Investigators identified a customer who had exhibited suspicious behavior in the store just before the fire started.
Critical video evidence was recovered from inside the burning structure with the help of the fire marshal, who entered the building in full protective gear to retrieve it.
Arrests and Charges
The investigation led to the identification of two suspects:
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Elijah Johnson, 22, of Anniston, AL
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Monica Gross, 48, of Anniston, AL, an employee of the Dollar General at the time of the fire
Both Johnson and Gross have been charged with Arson in the First Degree, a Class A felony under Alabama law. They are currently being held without bond in the Calhoun County Jail.
Chief Wood’s Remarks
At Monday’s press conference, Chief Marcus Wood detailed the coordinated response. He explained that Jacksonville firefighters arrived within two minutes of the first 911 call and quickly recognized the fire as intentional. While firefighters battled the blaze, police officers began gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and working with store management.
Wood noted that investigators identified a suspicious customer and realized that key video evidence was still inside the burning structure. With the assistance of the Jacksonville Fire Marshal, that evidence was recovered before being destroyed. Combined with witness accounts, the footage allowed investigators to establish a person of interest.
Investigators then conducted additional interviews, served search warrants, and gathered further evidence that led to identifying Johnson and Gross as suspects. The findings were presented to the District Attorney’s Office, which approved warrants for their arrests.
Chief Wood credited the arrests to the dedication and nonstop efforts of police officers, investigators, and firefighters. He thanked Jacksonville Fire Chief Keith Kadle and the fire department for their partnership, emphasizing that the case was brought to resolution in just over 48 hours.
Wood closed by warning that Jacksonville will not tolerate “bad actors” who commit crimes in the community, stressing that law enforcement will act swiftly to protect public safety.
Extent of Damage
The fire caused total loss of the store and its contents. Firefighting efforts required large amounts of water, contributing to structural and inventory damage. The total estimated damage exceeds $1 million.
“The building is considered a total loss,” Chief Wood confirmed.
Legal Outlook
District Attorney Lynn Hammond explained that first-degree arson carries a minimum sentence of 10 years, up to life in prison, depending on the circumstances.
“Arson in the first degree is a Class A felony and is subject to Alabama’s ‘no bond’ laws for serious offenses,” Hammond said. “There will be hearings to determine whether bond is appropriate, but at this time, both individuals remain held without bond.”
Community Response and Cooperation
Terry Wilson, Mayor Pro Tem of Jacksonville, praised the rapid coordination between the police and fire departments.
“We have great pride in our public safety departments, and this shows exactly why,” Wilson said. “Our teams didn’t sit on their hands — they acted swiftly, got the evidence, and made arrests within 48 hours.”
City Council President Tony Taylor also commended the teamwork and called the level of interdepartmental cooperation “nearly nonexistent” elsewhere.
Message to the Public
Chief Wood emphasized that the arrests demonstrate the commitment of Jacksonville’s first responders. He said the city will pursue anyone who threatens community safety and ensure they are held accountable.
Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the Jacksonville Police Department.
