Docs: Indy woman charged with arson after burning ex-boyfriend’s clothes in the street

INDIANAPOLIS — An Indianapolis woman has been arrested on arson and battery charges after police say she dumped lighter fluid on her ex-boyfriend and burned his clothes in the street.

Krystal T. Lewis is being held in the Marion County Jail on charges of felony arson, battery, domestic battery and criminal recklessness. The 37-year-old was arrested Saturday after Indianapolis metro police and fire crews were called to a north side storage facility.

IMPD said crews were called just before 1:30 p.m. to the 5000 block of N. Keystone Avenue for a domestic disturbance. While en route, the Indianapolis Fire Department also requested police assistance.

Officers reportedly arrived to find clothing strewn across Keystone Ave. and spoke with a man they say was “visibly upset.” The man, who police said smelled of lighter fluid, had scratches on his arms and a cut on the inside of his lip.

IFD crews on scene told police that they were called to the scene to put out a pile of clothing that had been set on fire outside the storage facility. Upon arrival, they saw a woman hitting the injured man several times before driving away in a Chevrolet Malibu.

The woman, later identified as Krystal Lewis, reportedly ran over all of the man’s belongings while driving away. Firefighters said she also hit a curb while fleeing the scene, “popping both of her tires.”

Officers interviewed the injured man, who said that Lewis was his girlfriend and that they had just broken up. He said he had emptied his things out of the storage unit and was waiting for a ride outside when Lewis pulled up in her Malibu.

The man said Lewis was holding a can of lighter fluid and dumped it on his clothes and hair. She then reportedly walked over to his piles of clothes and personal belongings, doused them in the fluid and set them on fire with a lighter.

Storage facility employees reportedly came outside and used a fire extinguisher to try and put out the flames before calling 911. While no employees directly witnessed the incident, security footage allegedly matched the victim’s description of what had happened.

IMPD officers soon found Lewis and her car in the parking lot of a business in the 5100 block of Keystone. During an interview, she said the man had thrown an iPad at her face earlier in the day.

Lewis said she began driving to the storage facility because she did not want him to go inside, stating she was the only person who paid for their unit. However, before pulling up, she said she stopped at a dollar store and purchased acetone to use as an accellerant.

“I’m not gonna lie, I set that sh*t on fire,” Lewis reportedly said to officers.

IMPD officers then contacted arson detectives, who took over the investigation. Lewis was arrested and booked into jail on the following preliminary charges:

• Arson (Damage between $250-$5,000) – Level 6 Felony
• Battery – Class B Misdemeanor
• Domestic Battery – Class A Misdemeanor
• Battery resulting in Injury – Class A Misdemeanor
• Criminal Recklessness – Class A Misdemeanor

Online jail records have not yet been updated to reflect a bail amount in Lewis’ case. Her initial court appearance is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.