Man Charged With Arson In Hammond House Fire
On April 28th, at approximately 2:10 PM, Hammond Police & Fire responded to a home in the 5500 block of Claude in reference to a house fire, Lt. Steve Kellogg of the Hammond Police stated. All the residents of the home escaped unharmed but through the investigation inspectors determined this incident to be Arson.
The investigation led to the arrest and charging of a suspect on April 30th, Kellogg told RNS. Hammond police presented charges and the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office charged 57-year-old Erwin Ausley with Stalking and Arson.
35-43-1-1(a)(2) Level 4 Felony Arson Damage by fire, etc. property of another under circumstances that endanger
35-45-10-5(a) Level 5 Felony – Stalking where defendant threatens sexual battery serious bodily injury or death
Mr. Ausley is currently in custody at the Lake County Jail. A mugshot from the Sheriffs Office was not immediately available.
