A local man was arrested after he was accused of setting three separate fires early Monday morning in Columbus.
Shortly before 4 a.m., CPD officers responded to the area of 25th and California streets about a tree on fire, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman.
The officers also observed a large trash receptacle on fire in the 1000 block of 25th Street as well as another tree on fire in the area.
After reviewing security camera footage from a nearby business, officers located and arrested Robert M. Lucas, 48, of Columbus on Monday afternoon. The officers also located a syringe while searching Lucas’ clothing prior to transporting him to jail, Harris said.
Lucas was taken to the Bartholomew Jail on preliminary charges of arson and possession of a legend drug injection device, Harris said.
The Columbus Fire Department and Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office assisted with this investigation.
For more on this story, see Wednesday’s Republic.
