June 03--CAPE CARTERET -- A Hubert woman remained in the Carteret County Jail Tuesday following a first appearance in court on arson and embezzlement charges.
Hope Riggs, 37, was charged by Cape Carteret Police Department with embezzlement and two counts of arson for burning a building and burning personal property.
She is accused of setting two fires inside of Seashore Lighting at 800 W.B. McLean Drive, where she worked, and allegedly stealing more than $62,000 from the business, according to Detective Ethan Born.
"She is accused of setting two fires inside that were put out with minimal damage to the building," he said.
One of the fires was in the bathroom and another in the showroom.
Born said an adjacent business owner saw smoke and was able to put out the fires with a fire extinguisher. Riggs had been seen leaving the building at the same time.
The fires were considered suspicious and the alleged embezzlement was discovered when Seashore Lighting owner Tammy Butler, came into town from the Raleigh area to check on the business.
"The owner came down after the fire and started going through the books and noticed some discrepancies," Born said.
Riggs had worked at the business approximately 6 or 7 years and served as a manager who took orders and handled financial records, Born said.
On the day after the fires at the business, Riggs allegedly set fire to a Honda Accord that she had leased. The fire department was called to put out the blaze, which destroyed the car.
Born said that the charges against Riggs were filed by the police department May 27 and Riggs turned herself into authorities Monday morning at the magistrate's office.
She was placed in the Carteret County Jail under a $75,000 bond.
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