Wanted woman accused of arson in Eden; ‘extensive damage’ to home, car

EDEN, N.C. (WGHP) — The Eden Police Department is searching for a woman who is suspected of burning both a home and a vehicle.

At around 11:56 p.m. on Monday, EPD officers, the Eden Fire Department and Leaksville firefighters came to a home on the 200 block of Harrington Highway after getting a report of a fire.

“It’s a working structure fire. Approximately half of the house was fully evolved. Once we got there, we went into firefighting mode. All the residents … evacuated,” Eden Fire Department Chief Chris White said.

Everyone inside the home was able to escape without injury, and the fire was extinguished. However, it caused “extensive damage” to both the home and a vehicle.

Investigators determined that the fire was started with malice and after consulting with the Rockingham County District Attorney’s Office charged Tesha Camelle Joyce, of Roanoke, Virginia, with first-degree arson.

Joyce’s whereabouts are unknown at this time and the police department is asking for the public’s assistance in finding her.

The man who lives at the address says he has known Joyce for about a year. He said they had a disagreement earlier in the day. Later that day, he got a text message allegedly from Joyce that said she would burn his house down.

That night, he was sitting on the couch and said he heard a noise and then saw flames burst up from beneath the house near the garage.

The fire caused significant damage to a car and the couple’s home. The EFD said the fire left the couple’s home uninhabitable and connected them with resources.

Anyone with information about Joyce’s location is asked to contact Detective David Kirkland or Lieutenant David Stepps at (336) 623-9755 (24hr) and (336) 623-9240 ext. 3255 (8 am-6 pm). Anyone wishing to provide information and remain anonymous is asked to call Rockingham County Crimestoppers at (336) 349-9683.

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