Staff Reports
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, who is listed at the jail as homeless, 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.
Lucas was being held at the Bartholomew County Jail in lieu of $65,000 bond, jail officials said.
