Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Ethridge Man Charged With Holding Two Against Their Will And Trying To Burn Neighbor’s Car
An Ethridge man was arrested on multiple charges Sunday after he allegedly held two persons against their will, then attempted to burn a neighbor’s car.
Reports filed through the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department indicate that Ricky Allen Lewis, a forty-six year old resident of 5 Dry Weakley Road, was jailed on charges that include violating an order of protection, aggravated burglary, aggravated domestic assault, arson, theft, and two counts of aggravated kidnapping.
Deputies were summoned to a home located on Highway 43 North at around 1:00. When they arrived, they report that Lewis, “Had gas jug in his hands pouring some sort of liquid out of the gas jug onto a white vehicle.”
Deputies ordered him to put the jug down and get on his knees with his hands on his head. They report that he complied and was subsequently placed under arrest. At the time, they report that he appeared to be intoxicated.
Deputies learned that Lewis had come to the victim’s home the previous night, kicked the door open, and forced his way inside. The victim, age 41, said that he had been intoxicated and had continued to consume alcoholic beverages throughout the night.
She told deputies that Lewis had kept her at the residence, along with her son, and would not allow them to leave. She said that he had threatened to kill them both “and then burn the house down,” should she attempt to leave or make contact with anyone.
The victim told deputies that she had been in fear throughout the night. She said that Lewis had stolen $100 from her, as well.
The victim reported that she had been able to get away a short time earlier by telling Lewis that she was supposed to go to her neighbor’s house to pick up some DVDs for her son. She went to the neighbor’s home and called for help.
Deputies spoke with the owner of the car on which Lewis was pouring gasoline. She reported that he had come to her door earlier, “Yelling to let him in” and that, “She saw him stumble back over to the other residence…She then saw him come back with a gas jug and yell to her to call the fire department because he was going to burn her car.” She told deputies that she had been scared and refused to go outside when he ordered her to do so. The vehicle appeared to be undamaged.
Deputies noted in their report that the arson charge was issued, “Due to him having full intent to complete the act of arson by having the…gasoline, initiated the pouring of the gasoline, and was in possession of a lighter upon his arrest.”
