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An 83-year-old man was charged with aggravated arson for allegedly trying to blow up his Orchard Island residence Tuesday.
Washington Township Police Chief Rick Core and Vectren employees responded to a report of a strong odor of gas on Orchard Island at about 5 p.m. Tuesday. They eventually tracked the source of the gas to 8935 Chestnut Street, Lot 42, and the Indian Joint Fire District was called to help deal with the situation.
The resident, Phillip Brand, was not at home; so firefighters forced entry and began ventilating the home to disperse heavy concentrations of natural gas.
Firefighters discovered the gas line to the furnace had been deliberately disconnected, the thermostat turned up in an apparent attempt to draw gas into the home, and a burner on the stove was left on.
Fire Chief Mark Gibson told Chief Core, “this residence should have blown up with these existing circumstances.”
A search began for Mr. Brand, and during a conversation with family members, the police chief learned the suspect, who suffers from mental disabilities related to his age, had “done this type of thing before.”
Mr. Brand was located in the early morning hours Wednesday near the home, Chief Core said. He also was found in possession of a handgun before being taken to the Logan County Jail, where he remained incarcerated today.