Deputies: Man Accused of Setting School Fires Left Underwear on Playground

Deputies arrested a West Columbia man Friday who they say intentionally set two fires at Pineview Elementary School.

Thomas Hartford Riley, 54, is charged with two counts of third-degree arson. 

Deputies arrested Riley around 5 a.m. Friday after they found him hiding behind a tree at the school's playground, which is about a half-mile from Riley's house, according to the sheriff's department. 

When officers arrested Riley, he had one tube of K-Y Warming Jelly (a personal lubricant), one red lighter, one blue lighter and one pack of Camel Menthol cigarettes with him, according to the sheriff's department. Officers also found a pair of Riley’s blue underwear on the top level of a jungle gym at the playground. 

Riley is accused of setting fire to a plastic garbage can on the school's playground around 4:30 a.m. Thursday, according to the sheriff's department. Deputies also say he set fire to a garbage dumpster at the school on July 30.

Officers found two butts from Camel Menthol cigarettes at the playground as well as two footprints that appeared to match the shoes that Riley was wearing, according to the sheriff's department.

Deputies are still investigating the motive for setting the fires.

Riley was being held at the Lexington County Detention Center Saturday on a bail totaling $50,000. 

Third-degree arson is a felony charge with a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

Metts asked anyone with information about additional criminal activity or suspicious activity involving Riley to contact the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department at 803-785-8230 or CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.