INDIANAPOLIS — A federal grand jury charged an Indianapolis man for allegedly setting an IndyGo bus on fire.
Demarcus McCloud, 45, of Indianapolis, is facing a charge of arson of property and vehicle receiving federal funds.
According to an Indianapolis Fire Department spokesperson, the bus caught fire around 7:10 a.m. April 24 at the bus stop near North Meridian and East 38th streets.
Video from inside the bus allegedly showed McCloud pouring liquid from a jug on the floor of the bus before lighting a piece of paper on fire, throwing that paper on the liquid and running off the bus, according to court documents.
Police officers found McCloud at a nearby fast food restaurant with a burn to his leg and "the smell of an accelerant coming from him," according to court documents. The bus driver identified McCloud as the same person who witnesses said started the fire.
IFD said four people, including the bus driver, were on the bus when it caught fire. Medics took two people to the hospital for minor injuries, but IFD said everyone is expected to be OK.
McCloud is facing a federal charge because IndyGo operates its public transportation buses under the Federal Transportation Administration.
According to IFD, the estimated damage to the bus and shelter will cost approximately $2 million.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is investigating the case. If convicted, McCloud faces up to 40 years in federal prison.
