INDIANAPOLIS—An Indianapolis man who faces 20 felony arson charges says that when he gets drunk, setting houses on fire "seems like a good idea."
40-year-old David Bradshaw made that statement to investigators while admitting to a series of arsons between 2014 and this month.
New information about the case is contained in documents from the Marion County Prosecutor and detectives with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the Indianapolis Fire Department.
Bradshaw was arrested last week in Evansville and brought back to Indianapolis.
The eight house fires were generally set at night while residents slept and caused damage estimated at slightly over $1 million dollars. Damage to one house, on North Alabama Street, was placed at $800,000. All the houses are on the city's near north side and near east side.
In an interview with detectives, Bradshaw said he was relieved he had been caught and admitted to setting the most recent fires. Houses on North Pennsylvania, North Talbott and North Alabama streets were set on fire in the early-morning hours of July 2. Bradshaw also admitted to setting other fires, including two on Christmas morning, 2018.
Security camera pictures released by investigators in mid-July generated a number of tips that led police to identify Bradshaw as the arson suspect. He is scheduled to be in court on September 17, with a tentative trial date later that month.
