Two Men Arrested in Midlothian House Arson After DNA, Flock Cameras and Cellphone Records Link Suspects to Fire
MIDLOTHIAN, Texas — Two men have been arrested in connection with an arson investigation involving an occupied Midlothian home that was intentionally set on fire in August 2025, according to the Midlothian Police Department.
Rashad Gilbert Harrington, 27, of DeSoto, and Bennie Leon McGriff Jr., 55, of Kerens, were both charged with arson of a habitation, a first-degree felony.
Investigators used surveillance footage, Flock license plate recognition cameras, vehicle tracking data, cellphone records and DNA evidence to identify the suspects and establish their alleged roles in the crime.
Daughter Alerts Father After Home Set on Fire
The incident occurred at approximately 1:05 a.m. on August 12, 2025, in the 900 block of McAlpin Road in Midlothian.
Police officers and firefighters responded to a report of a residential fire and discovered burn damage along the front exterior of the home.
The homeowner told investigators that his daughter had awakened him after discovering the residence was on fire.
He managed to extinguish the flames before emergency crews arrived.
The home was occupied when the fire was set.
Investigators determined that someone had deliberately poured an ignitable liquid around the front of the residence, set it on fire and fled on foot.
Security camera footage captured a male suspect wearing a hooded sweatshirt, gloves and a face covering while carrying what appeared to be a gasoline container.
The footage showed the suspect pouring liquid around the front of the home before igniting it.
Detectives also recovered a gas can nozzle near the scene and submitted it for forensic testing.
Flock Cameras Track Pickup From Kerens to Midlothian
As detectives reviewed surveillance footage from nearby homes, they identified a white Ford F-450 pickup truck traveling through the neighborhood shortly before and after the fire.
Through search warrants and vehicle records, investigators identified the truck as belonging to McGriff.
Using Flock camera technology, detectives traced the vehicle's movements from Kerens to Duncanville and then to Midlothian shortly before the arson.
Investigators determined that the pickup remained in the area while the fire was set and left shortly afterward.
Cellphone records also showed that McGriff had been communicating with Harrington before and after the incident.
According to police, the investigation established that McGriff transported Harrington to Midlothian, where the arson occurred, and later drove him away from the scene.
DNA Evidence Links Suspect to Arson Investigation
Investigators also obtained DNA evidence that matched Harrington, providing additional evidence connecting him to the crime.
Based on the surveillance footage, forensic evidence, vehicle tracking information and cellphone records, detectives obtained arrest warrants for both men.
Harrington was charged with arson of a habitation, while McGriff was charged with the same offense as a party to the crime for his alleged role in assisting its commission.
Both charges are first-degree felonies under Section 28.02 of the Texas Penal Code.
Harrington was arrested by the La Salle County Sheriff's Office, while McGriff was taken into custody by the Navarro County Sheriff's Office.
The Midlothian Police Department credited both sheriff's offices and the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory for assisting in the investigation.
