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Golf cart driver says he set VBL trailer fire
Already accused of drunkenly driving a golf cart across the scene of a Monday mobile home fire, a Van Bibber Lake man now says he started the blaze.
Transported to the Putnam County Jail on Monday on a driving while intoxicated charge, Floyd Allen, 50, Greencastle, then told investigators that he set fire to the abandoned trailer at 6012 Van Bibber Lake Estates, according to court documents.
Now in addition to his Class C misdemeanor driving while intoxicated charge, Allen is faced with a Level 6 felony charge of arson.
Allen allegedly first told another person at the scene of the fire that he had started it. The following day, still incarcerated at the Putnam County Jail, he said the same to Indiana Department of Homeland Security fire investigator Jeffrey Ramey II.
After being read his Miranda rights and signing a waiver, Allen admitted to Ramey that he had started the fire, court records note.
“Floyd stated that he first threw rocks through the windows of the trailer,” Ramey wrote. “Floyd then stated that he kicked in the front door and set a paper bag on fire in the central part of the trailer.”
Unhappy with the progress of the fire, Allen said he then walked back to his home a poured gasoline into a coffee mug and went back and threw it on the fire. He told the investigator this got the fire “going really good.”
As to a motive, Allen said he was tired of being harassed by the homeowners association for the state of his own property when the abandoned home across the street was worse. He told Ramey the back wall was missing and that several animals, including skunks, lived in it.
“Floyd stated that he was just tired of looking at the abandoned property,” Ramey wrote. “Floyd stated that he did not want anyone to get hurt and that he reported the fire after he started it. Floyd also stated that he tried telling the firefighters to stay back so they did not get hurt because it was not worth it.”
Indeed, records indicate Allen was the caller who reported the fire.
Ramey also reported that his investigation was consistent with how Allen said the fire started.
“It is my opinion that Floyd Allen ignited ordinary combustibles with an open flame in the central part of the mobile home,” Ramey wrote. “This investigator also believes the statement made by Floyd Allen that he used gasoline to accelerate the fire growth.”
With the home being abandoned and dilapidated, Ramey estimated the material damages at only $500.
Allen also told the investigator that he had consumed 8-10 beers as well as moonshine before starting the fire, statements consistent with those given during his DUI arrest.
He also said he has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and had recently been released from the psychiatric unit at Terre Haute Regional Hospital. He said he had been taking a new prescription and it was helping.
Allen also reportedly told the investigator the devil told him to do it.
As of Friday, Allen had not yet made his initial court appearance in this case. However, on Wednesday, he made his initial appearance in the DUI case, entering a not-guilty plea. A bench trial in that matter was set for Oct. 23.
Allen first came to police attention on Monday evening when he drove through the fire scene — and over several hoses — with his golf cart.
When he returned to the scene 10 minutes later, Deputy Randy Patrick spoke to him and noticed signs of intoxication.
Allen told the deputy he had been drinking “all day” and disputed the fact that it was even a crime since it is not a registered vehicle and the Van Bibber area is private property.
“I’ve been driving this cart for 10 years out here, drunk as a skunk,” Allen said, “and now you want to change the laws and come after me for this.”
Allen was subsequently handcuffed and placed in the backseat of his golf cart, though he ran away and was able to maneuver his shackled hands around to the front of his body.
He was then held at taser point until another deputy arrived and Patrick was able to transport him to the Putnam County Jail.