<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4U3oed_1GxiDYuO00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4U3oed_1GxiDYuO00" width="1200" height="675" >A gas can nozzle, a DNA match and a trail of digital evidence have led to the arrests of two men more than a year after surveillance video captured a man setting a North Texas family's home on fire while they slept inside.The Midlothian Police Department said they arrested Rashad Gilbert Harrington, 27, of DeSoto, and Bennie Leon McGriff Jr., 55, of Kerens, on Nov. 5 in connection with the August 2025 arson.Authorities responded to a fire at approximately 1:05 a.m. on Aug. 12, 2025, at a home in the 900 block of McAlpin Road in Midlothian.The family was home and asleep when the fire started. The homeowner's daughter told investigators she alerted her family to the fire, which the homeowner was able to extinguish before emergency crews arrived.Surveillance video captured a man pouring gasoline around the front of the home, setting it on fire and running away. Police identified the man as Harrington.Days after the fire, NBC 5 spoke with sisters Tiza and Malia Rivera about the moment they realized their father's home was burning.“When I came down the stairs, I seen the flames right here in the window,” Malia Rivera said.More than a year later, the homeowner told NBC 5 he still doesn't know why his family was targeted. He said investigators showed him multiple pictures of the two men, but he did not recognize either of them.<h2>DNA evidence and surveillance video lead to arrests</h2>A gas can nozzle found near the scene was submitted for forensic analysis. Investigators said DNA evidence from the nozzle matched Harrington.But detectives said the evidence didn't stop at the scene of the fire. Their investigation led them to a second suspect more than 60 miles away in Kerens.Surveillance footage from nearby homes showed a white Ford F-450 pickup traveling through the neighborhood before and after the fire.“Using Flock camera technology, investigators determined the vehicle traveled from Kerens to Duncanville and then to Midlothian shortly before the offense,” police said.Investigators also determined McGriff was in contact with Harrington before and after the incident.Police allege McGriff drove Harrington to the Midlothian home and later drove him away from the scene.Criminologist Alex del Carmen, who is not involved in the investigation, said the department used multiple investigative tools to build its case.“The Midlothian Police Department did something exceptionally well here,” del Carmen said.He pointed to the combination of DNA evidence and camera technology, as well as the potential use of cellphone location data, in connecting suspects to a crime.“On the one hand, you've got the DNA part. On the other hand, you've got Flock cameras. And then you also have being able to ping, I'm guessing with the cellphones, right? Which is probably what they ended up using in order to put the individual with the cellphone at that location at the same time that the crime happened,” del Carmen said.<h2>Two men face charges in Midlothian arson</h2>Harrington is charged with arson. McGriff is charged with arson and assisting in the commission of the crime, police said.Harrington's bond was set at $50,000, while McGriff's bond was set at $20,000.Police said additional arrests are possible as the investigation continues.</div></body>

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A gas can nozzle, a DNA match and a trail of digital evidence have led to the arrests of two men more than a year after surveillance video captured a man setting a North Texas family's home on fire while they slept inside. The Midlothian Police Department said they arrested...

Two men arrested in 2025 Midlothian arson investigation

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A gas can nozzle, a DNA match and a trail of digital evidence have led to the arrests of two men more than a year after surveillance video captured a man s

Two men arrested in 2025 Midlothian arson investigation

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