Boyfriend burns down ex’s house, hoping to kill her dog in the blaze
On December 8, the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office (IRCSO) reported that they arrested a man charged with burning down the home of his ex-girlfriend – after being ordered not to go near her. The arsonist, identified as 36-year-old Travis Tanner Pippin of the 1900 block of 35th Avenue in Vero Beach, also knew his ex’s dog was in the house when he set the structure on fire.
Following his arrest, Pippin was transported to the Indian River County Jail where he’s looking at charges that include arson of a structure, cruelty to animals, and more. The home that Pippin burned down was located in the 500 block of Caribbean Circle.
The fire was set on the afternoon of Tuesday, December 7, around 3:30 p.m. Witnesses in the area of the fire informed deputies that they saw Pippin “pouring fuel on the property and setting it on fire with a blow torch.” After Pippin walked up to the house and doused the area in gasoline, witnesses said he lit the gasoline on fire and then just walked away, according to WFLX.
Those witnesses captured the arsonist in action and provided photos and video to the sheriff’s office.
According to an arrest affidavit, the suspect was confronted by a neighbor after the home was set ablaze. While exchanging words, Pippin allegedly threw gasoline in the direction of the neighbor and lit the fuel on fire. ~ WFLX
Investigators learned that Pippin knew a dog was in the home when the fire was started, which led to a cruelty to animals charge. The sheriff’s office said that the house was a total loss.
Records indicate that Pippin was trespassed from the location on Oct. 6. About the animal, Pippin said to deputies, “F— that dog” and also said, “after the fog cleared, I was holding the torch,” the report says. ~ Treasure Coast News Team
Neighbors in the area said they ran to the burning home because they saw the residents’ vehicles parked at the home and were concerned that someone might have been inside. One of the neighbors ran to the rear of the home and broke out the windows in a valiant attempt to look for possible victims.
Court documents state that after setting the fire, Pippin fled the area. He was soon taken into custody with help from a Sebastian Police Officer and his K-9.
A dog, named Rusty, that was inside the home was rescued from the blaze.
The owner of the home, Sandy Underwood, said Pippin is her daughter’s boyfriend.
“They’ve not had a good relationship, and he wasn’t allowed on the property, which made him mad. It just escalated, I guess, to this,” Underwood said. ~ WFLX
The Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the dog was successfully rescued from the fire before the house burned down.
Pippin is being held in lieu of $75,000 bond and faces additional charges that include trespass on property and resisting arrest without violence.
The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone that may have additional photos or videos of the arson to please contact Dep. Buffington by calling (772) 978-6803.
(Source: Indian River County Sheriff’s Office)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter
