Texas Man Arrested for Allegedly Setting Fire to a Vehicle Near an Occupied Home in Louisiana

Louisiana – The Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office (LASFM) reported on June 16, 2022, that they had arrested a Texas man for allegedly setting fire to a vehicle that was within feet of an occupied home.

Decedrick Thomas, 58, was arrested in Killeen, Texas on June 14 and transported to Madison Parish, where he was charged with Aggravated Arson. Tallulah Fire Department responded to a report of a vehicle fire in the 700 block of South Elm Street of Tallulah, Louisiana, in the early morning hours of January 1, 2022. The vehicle was less than five feet from the home at that address, which was occupied by four people at the time. Deputies determined the fire was intentionally started after inspecting the scene.

Deputies discovered Thomas, who was related to the home’s occupants, had an argument with one of the residents earlier in the day at a home in Mississippi. Witness statements and evidence gathered at the scene indicated that Thomas detoured to the home on his way back to Texas from Mississippi that evening, and that he was responsible for setting the vehicle on fire.

Following extensive efforts to locate Thomas, Texas DPS troopers apprehended him on June 14th in connection with the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s warrant in this case. Thomas was then taken to Madison Parish and booked.

An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.