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A local man faces arson charges after he was reportedly caught on camera setting a pair of fires in Manchester. He faces more charges of allegedly kicking in a door in Tullahoma and assaulting a man before fighting with police.

The suspect, Malachi Martin was charged with two counts of arson, abuse resulting in serious bodily injury, aggravated criminal trespass, aggravated burglary (habitation), vandalism – $2,500 to less than $10,000, assault on a first responder and resist stop, arrest, search (no weapon).

His charges come after fire and police responded to a call at Food Lion in Manchester where some receptacle bins had been set on fire. While extinguishing that blaze another fire was spotted outside Southern Sass. Police pulled surveillance video from the area and soon had their suspect.

“I viewed video that showed Mr. Martin sitting next to a display,” the officer said in the warrant. “It appear as though he took a couple of drags from a cigarette then placed it at the bottom corner of the display causing the fire.”

The officer said Martin then appeared to stand and watch the flames and then lit a trash can on fire. He was then seen walking to Southern Sass where another fire was lit. Officers reported having to deal with Martin several times that night and were able to identify him by his clothing.

In addition to the arson charge, Martin picked up more criminal counts when he allegedly kicked in the door of a residence in Tullahoma and beat up the victim, stealing his cellphone. Martin was located by police a short distance away but ran on foot. One of the officers was injured while trying to handcuff him.