A scorned woman in Riegelwood allegedly stole a handgun, burned a home, a Jeep and shot at two people Oct. 21, according to the sheriff’s office.
Monica Renee Simpson, 33, is under $161,000 secured bond on charges of second degree arson, damage to property, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, and discharging a firearm to incite fear. More charges are pending. Her address was listed as 544 Evergreen Church Road, Delco.
The crime spree began at Keith’s Tire and Auto just after 1 p.m. on Oct. 21, the report said. Brittany K. Graham called 911 after Simpson allegedly came into the business and fired multiple shots at her. Graham fled the building, with Simpson in pursuit, then Graham got back inside the building and called 911. Simpson then fled the business in a Jeep Wrangler.
Deputies were en route to the scene when they received another call about shots fired, this time on Hoover Road in Bladen County, near the county line. BCSC responded to that call.
Not long after, a 911 call came in to Columbus Central that a vehicle had rammed another vehicle on Old Lake Road, and the struck vehicle was left in the roadway. Deputies found Jeffrey Graham hiding in a wooded area nearby. Graham told deputies that he had broken up with Simpson earlier that day, and that she was “irate” afterward.
Simpson allegedly took Graham’s Jeep Wrangler and pursued Graham while he fled in his daughter’s car. After firing several shots at Graham, Simpson rammed the second vehicle. Graham abandoned the car and fled into the woods. She allegedly pursued him with the Jeep into the woodline, then fled the scene.
Deputies were on both those calls when there was a 911 call about a house and vehicle on fire on the Columbus portion of Hoover road. Firefighters found Graham’s home and Jeep burning. Simpson allegedly drove the vehicle into the home then set both on fire. The Jeep and the home were a total loss.
During the course of the investigation, detectives found out that Simpson was with her mother, Phyllis B. Simpson, in Navassa. She jumped from the vehicle after spotting deputies. Brunswick and Columbus deputies eventually caught her after a foot search and pursuit. She was taken into custody and booked in the Columbus County Detention Center.
A short while later, the suspect’s mother called the sheriff’s office to report that her handgun, which was secure around 5:15 a.m., was missing from her Delco home.
