Man charged in fatal Lake Gaston house fire indicted in murder of Vance businessman

He also was indicted on charges of breaking and entering and felony larceny in connection with a Sept. 11 burglary at Ellington's home in which a purse and wallet and other personal property valued at $1,500 total were stolen.

Authorities didn't disclose what evidence linked Munn to the crime.

Ellington, 61, was a co-founder of Quality Equipment, a local John Deere dealership.

"The Ellington family is grateful for the persistence and dedication of local and state law enforcement resources working this case," Ellington's wife, Cheryl, said in a statement. "We also appreciate the prayers and support of all of those who have reached out to our family over these past months. As this is an ongoing investigation, we are not able to comment further at this time."

For months, Henderson-area businesses have displayed fliers bearing Tommy Ellington's image and offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in his killing.

Robert Wright, a clerk at a Shell gas station near Quality Equipment, said he was stunned to learn the suspect was a frequent customer of his.

"He would come in the store almost every day, and I would never think that of him, that he would be like that," Wright said. "He just acted like a normal person would act. I mean, 'Hey, what's up? How are you doing?'"

Tommy Ellington also frequented the Shell station, Wright said.

"He was a good man, always came and ate here," he said.

Cheryl Ellington said she had never seen Munn before his arrest.

State records show that Munn was charged with seven felonies in Vance County last year, but he pleaded guilty in October – three weeks before Ellington's death – to misdemeanor breaking and entering and larceny as part of a plea agreement and was placed on probation.

His criminal records dates to 2004 and is filled with convictions for larceny and tampering with phone or communications equipment.

John Alford, a minister at Sanford Memorial Baptist Church in Brodnax, Va., was able to escape the burning home but Nancy Alford, a noted psychologist, didn't make it out.

"I believe the Alfords were targeted for a robbery," Warren County District Attorney Mike Waters said after the crime. "It's a tragedy for this community. The Alfords were big parts of this community.

"It's shaken people up here a lot," added Waters, who also is district attorney in Vance County. "Things like this just don't happen up here."

In Henderson, this week's indictment brings some relief.

"I really felt fearful because, you know, when someone's loose in the neighborhood, you don't ever know when you'll be next," Bobby Dickerson said.

"There was a lot of speculation and people pointing fingers at this person, that person," Wright said. "It was like the big talk of the town. Everybody wanted to see someone go down for this man's murder."