SC Store Owner Charged with Arson

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has arrested the owner of a Hartsville store who stated that she was assaulted and robbed back in January.  This must have been a shock to the local community and law enforcement personnel that rallied behind her to help her get through the ‘incident’ that police are now saying was a  fabrication to cover up an arson.

According to WMBF News and a release from SLED, Claudette Hulsey was charged on September 22^nd with arson of her personal property to defraud an insurer, presenting a false claim for insurance payment, making a false insurance claim to obtain benefits for fire loss, filing a false police report of a felony violation and arson in the third degre.

On January 26^th, both Hartsville Police and Hartsville Fire units responded to a 9-1-1 call for help from the Jack Be Nimble children’s clothing store.

Upon arrival, they saw smoke coming from the front of the store, but were able to gain entry by breaking the glass front door. Once they got inside, they discovered the fire and the store owner partially clothed, unconscious and lying on the floor.

Hulsey alleged that two black males entered the store at night and proceeded to assault and rob her before they set the store on fire.

In February, sketch artists released sketches of three men that were reportedly listed as possible witnesses to the crime, and urged members of the public to come forward with any information as to their identities.

On February 3^rd, members of the Hartsville community came together in support of Hulsey and The Church in Hartsville posted a video on YouTube of a prayer chain being held in her honor.

Also on the 22^nd, Mayor Mel Pennington stated. “Together we’re going to move forward. That’s what I love about Hartsville, this community’s ability to bounce back,” he said.

On the 23^rd, Pennington issued the following statement:

I don’t want to dwell on this crime; I believe it has received enough attention.  I would like to remind our citizens that this matter will be settled in court. It is not for us to judge, to condemn or condone. Of course the City of Hartsville would like to thank SLED, the Sheriff’s Office, the Hartsville Police Department, the tireless efforts of all the local, and national, law enforcement agencies involved.  Our thoughts are with all those affected.  Despite the shock or the anger, these events did succeed in helping to unite a community.  What we witnessed earlier this year was an outpouring of love, people banding together in their resolve to make our streets safer, and that is a good thing.  That is something to be proud of.  My hope is that we will continue to hold on to that recommitment to our city because the only way we can move forward is together.

According to SCnow.com, S.C. Assistant Deputy Attorney General Heather Savitz Weiss alleges that Hulsey not only wasted community resources — law enforcement, fire and hospital staff and emergency responders — but also put the occupants of the adjoining buildings at risk.

“It is believed that the defendant was motivated by financial needs and personal needs and took her needs above those of the community of Hartsville,” Weiss said. “She took away from the people of Hartsville, as well as putting the people of the other stores in danger.”

Police state that a criminal sexual assault kit was completed on Hulsey and submitted to SLED for analysis, with the findings reporting that Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC) was  “one of the crimes committed in the incident.”

According to the SLED arrest warrants, Hulsey “did commit the offense of burning personal property to defraud her insurer [Traveler’s Insurance Co.] by willfully and intentionally setting fire to her business” for more than $10,000.

The warrants said her arrest was based upon “police investigation into multiple conflicting statements by the defendant, lack of forensic evidence, a financial investigation of the defendant and medical reports not consistent with the statements of the defendant.”

Hulsey was being held at the Darlington County Detention Center but was released on a $50,000 surety bond.