AUGUSTA, Ga. () – Thursday morning, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol Deputies were conducting traffic control at 12th Street and Broad Street due to a large fire in an abandoned building.

While on scene, witnesses approached deputies and stated that a man, identified as Cameron Perkins, had told them he lit the building on fire and planned to do it again tomorrow.

Deputies quickly located Perkins on Broad Street based on the description provided. When approached, Perkins fled on foot.

One deputy chased him onto Jones Street and ordered him to stop. When Perkins refused, the deputy deployed his Taser while running, hitting the suspect in the back.

Perkins then surrendered and was taken into custody without further incident.

He is being charged with:

• Arson 1st Degree
• Criminal Damage 2nd Degree
• Terroristic Threats
• Impersonating a Law Enforcement Officer
• Obstruction

Sheriff Eugene Brantley stated: “While we may not be able to prevent everything that occurs, working together as a community we can ensure those who commit bad acts that negatively impact all of us are apprehended quickly and prevented from committing additional acts. We are grateful when citizens step up to help us problem solve and make Augusta better for everyone. We are blessed to have such great Deputies and Supervisors amongst the ranks of our Road Patrol that often apprehend criminals immediately thus saving many man hours investigating and looking for the suspect by other divisions.”

The investigation remains ongoing.