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Athens’ sheriff identifies a person of interest in connection with a death at a fire in The Plains
By: WOUB News Team
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — The Athens County sheriff has identified a person of interest in connection with a death inside a residence that caught fire in The Plains Tuesday morning.
The sheriff is asking for the public’s help in finding 35-year-old Andrew Joseph Martin. Martin has a warrant for his arrest out of Franklin County for failure to register as a sex offender.
Martin was seen on video footage leaving the scene of the fire at 15 Cross St., which is a multifamily residence owned by the Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority.
He was traveling on foot toward Connett Road, and at about 9:30 a.m. he was seen making a phone call at the Spices of Life coffee shop on North Plains Road, according to the sheriff’s office.
Martin is 5 feet, 7 inches tall and approximately 135 pounds. He was last seen wearing a checkered button-up shirt, blue jeans, black shoes and a green knit cap, according to the sheriff’s office.
“We will continue to pursue those who attempt to evade law enforcement and the individuals who try to hide those wanted,” Sheriff Rodney Smith said in a Facebook post Tuesday evening. “We also want the public to know that every tip is taken seriously. Information received from our community plays a critical role in helping us locate persons of interest and keeping Athens County safe.”
The coroner’s office is working on a positive identification of the deceased and notification of their next of kin.