KOKOMO, Ind. — Court documents have shed new light on a man’s alleged role in fires that saw four cars, a garage and two houses go up in flames across five different locations in Kokomo earlier this month.
Joseph Smith, 29, was arrested and preliminarily charged with arson and burglary after firefighters were called in the early morning hours of Saturday, Aug. 10 to several different fires that were started within one hour of each other.
Between 1:55 a.m. and 3 a.m., firefighters with the Kokomo Fire Department and officers with the Kokomo Police Department were dispatched to several locations in response to numerous fires that had been set within a one-mile radius.
According to court documents, the first of these locations included the 400 block of West Mulberry where a black Range Rover was engulfed in flames. First responders then paid a visit to the 500 block of West Jackson Street in response to an active garage and vehicle fire. Documents did not include what type of vehicle was set on fire at that particular location.
The 600 block of West Taylor Street was the next destination as firefighters pulled up to a residence fire in the area. Next, a Jeep Cherokee was reportedly set on fire on the 800 block of West Jackson Street. Lastly, authorities responded to the 900 block of West Jefferson to put out flames on a working structure fire and a Ford Focus.
Using surveillance footage, investigators were able to locate a man they believed to be Smith trying to enter an empty apartment in the 600 block of West Taylor Street. After unsuccessful efforts, investigators said Smith turned his attention toward a different residence across the alley. That same residence then caught on fire a short time later, with firefighters identifying that the fire was intentionally started at the back door of the residence.
Court documents go on to state that video obtained by investigators allegedly showed Smith attempting to enter a vehicle located on the 400 block of West Mulberry. Smith was again unsuccessful and made his way to a Range Rover across the alley instead.
“After a few minutes, a small flame is observed and then a larger fire,” court documents said.
The investigation expanded the following morning when investigators were able to obtain additional surveillance footage provided by residents living in the area where the fires were started.
In that footage, court documents said investigators observed a bald white male, alleged to be Smith, who was seen on camera to be located near at least two of the fires that had occurred in the area earlier that morning.
This male was depicted to be wearing a light-colored hoodie, light-colored t-shirt, jeans and dark-colored tennis shoes.
This same male could also be seen attempting to gain entry to multiple vehicles and residences in the same area.
More footage appeared to show Smith heading to and from fires that were started on the 500 and 800 blocks of West Jackson Street, and the 900 block of West Jefferson.
Court documents show that detectives spoke with someone who reportedly knows Smith during their investigation. The person informed police that Smith had allegedly told them in a text that he would “burn this mf down” following some type of verbal altercation.
Smith was found and arrested on Aug. 12 following an extensive investigation into the string of fires. Smith was subsequently transported to the Howard County Jail where he faces six counts of arson, burglary and attempted burglary.
