By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News

A Terre Haute man is in jail after allegedly breaking into a garage and pouring a large amount of gasaline on its contents yesterday.

Lonnie E. VanHorn, 38, was booked into the Vigo County Jail around 9:30 p.m. He is charged with arson, burglary and dealing marijuana. 

Terre Haute Police Department officers were dispatched to the residence in the 2000 block of Park Street on a report of a suspicious person at the property.

According to the probable cause affidavit, the suspect was found running eastbound in the alley near the garage upon officers' arrival. He was taken into custody at that time.

He told police he was being threatened, when he took cover in the couple's garage.

VanHorn reportedly stated that he was chased into the garage by five people.  He claimed he had poured the gasoline "everywhere and grabbed a lighter in attempt to scare the males away." He further stated he was running away from the scene because he had a bag of marijuana in his pocket, according to the court documents.

The victims said the suspect was only alarmed by them when he knew he was caught in the act. He was even seen drinking a beer from the refrigerator, they said.

Meanwhile, the police confirmed that the gasoline was all over the floor, a work bench, television, speakers and cars. VanHorn reportedly dropped a flashlight taser and a grill lighter in the couple's yard after being confronted when they noticed him going through their things in the garage. 

VanHorn remains held in the jail on $35,000 bond, no 10 percent allowed. He is set to appear in Div. 6 Court next week.