During this incident, a passenger on the bus suffered from smoke inhalation after exiting the vehicle and was transported to the hospital for treatment.
INDIANAPOLIS – Demarcus McCloud, 45, of Indianapolis, has been charged by a federal grand jury with arson of property and vehicle receiving federal funds after making his initial appearance in federal court.
According to court documents, on April 24, 2024, around 5pm, Indianapolis Fire Department and IMPD officers responded to a report of a fire at the IndyGo bus stop at 38th and North Meridian Streets. When first responders arrived, the inside of the bus and front half of the exterior were completely engulfed in flames.
Witnesses claimed that the fire was started by a passenger, identified as Demarcus McCloud. IMPD Officers located McCloud in the parking lot of a nearby restaurant and found him holding two butane lighters in his hand. He was arrested and transported to Eskenazi hospital to be assessed for physical injuries.
Surveillance cameras show McCloud boarding Bus #1993 at the Julia Carson Transit Center on Washington Street carrying a jug full of liquid and two butane lighters. After boarding, McCloud chose a seat in the back of the bus and lit a cigarette while hiding under a blanket. McCloud allegedly threw the butt of the cigarette on the floor, then lit a piece of paper before extinguishing it and moving to another section of the bus. As the bus approached the stop at Meridian and 38th Streets, McCloud began pouring out liquid from the jug onto the floor of the center aisle. He left the open jug laying on its side and began to exit the bus as the liquid continued to flow out. As he approached the bus door, he lit another piece of paper and threw it on the floor. The puddle ignited immediately, and McCloud ran from the station.
During this incident, a passenger on the bus suffered from smoke inhalation after exiting the vehicle and was transported to the hospital for treatment.
IndyGo operates their public transportation buses under the Federal Transportation Administration. It is estimated that Bus #1993 sustained approximately $2.1 million in damages, and the bus stop sustained approximately $25,000 in damages.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is investigating this case. If convicted, McCloud faces up to 40 years in federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Pamela S. Domash, who is prosecuting this case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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