Opelika, AL (BuzzReport) — Authorities have announced a third arrest in an ongoing arson investigation tied to fires that damaged two childcare facilities earlier this year, intensifying concerns about public safety and accountability in the community.
According to the Opelika Police Department, 51-year-old Terrence Kareem Johnson of Tuskegee has been arrested and charged with two counts of Second-Degree Arson. Investigators say the charges stem from Johnson’s alleged involvement in two separate fires that occurred in January at facilities serving young children.
Johnson’s arrest follows the earlier detention of two other Tuskegee men: Michael Leon Green, 26, and Dante Kharari Brundidge, 28. Green and Brundidge were taken into custody on February 18 and 19, respectively. Police have not publicly detailed the specific roles each suspect allegedly played, citing the active and sensitive nature of the investigation.
While officials have not confirmed a motive, the deliberate targeting of childcare facilities has raised alarm among parents and educators. Law enforcement sources indicate that investigators are examining potential connections between the suspects, the locations of the fires, and any prior disputes or activities that could shed light on why the facilities were chosen.
The investigation has involved multiple agencies, including the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), and the U.S. Marshals Service. Authorities credited the interagency collaboration with accelerating the arrests and strengthening the case.
Police emphasize that the investigation remains ongoing and that additional charges or arrests are possible. Anyone with information related to the fires is urged to contact the Opelika Police Department Detective Division at (334) 705-5220. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through the Opelika Police mobile app.
As the case develops, officials say protecting vulnerable facilities and ensuring those responsible are held accountable remain top priorities.