Georgia Man Arrested After Kidnapping and Connection to Statesboro Arson Cases

STATESBORO, Georgia – The Statesboro Police Department announced the arrest of a man accused of kidnapping a woman in Statesboro and setting multiple fires at a local motel.

Investigators said the case began May 27 when police received an anonymous tip and video clips from a concerned citizen who believed they had witnessed a woman being abducted while walking on South Main Street in Statesboro.

According to police, detectives used the video evidence to identify the suspect vehicle and its registered owner as 34-year-old Xavier Evans of Hephzibah.

Authorities said detectives then used the Fusus video-sharing network and Flock license plate reader technology to track Evans’ vehicle traveling back toward Burke County.

Deputies with the Burke County Sheriff’s Office responded to Evans’ residence, where they located a woman who told investigators Evans had forced her into the vehicle in Statesboro.

Police said the victim had previously been in a romantic relationship with Evans and had recently moved to Statesboro to separate herself from him.

After a brief confrontation with deputies, Evans was taken into custody.

During the investigation, detectives also connected Evans to three unsolved arson cases involving fires set at the Super 8 by Wyndham Statesboro on Jameson Avenue.

Investigators said the victim had been staying at the motel during the time the fires occurred.

Police credited the Fusus and Flock technology systems with helping investigators track Evans’ movements in relation to both the alleged kidnapping and the arson investigations.

Evans was booked into the Bulloch County Jail on charges including kidnapping, three counts of first-degree arson, and stalking.

Authorities said he remains in custody pending further court proceedings.

Statesboro police also thanked the Burke County Sheriff’s Office and the citizen who provided the original tip that helped lead investigators to the victim and suspect.

Anyone with information on these cases should contact Captain Akins or Senior Detective Purvis at 912-764-9911 or submit an anonymous tip at https://statesboropd.com/ using the “Submit a Tip” link.