From WRIL -
On Tuesday, April 19.2022, a short time after 4:30pm, New Tazewell Police were dispatched to 526 old Highway 33 to investigate an irate male individual that was breaking windows out of the residence.
According to the citations, Chief Ben Evans, first on scene, identified the individual as 32-year-old John Collins III. Collins was the only person at the home. Chief Evans observed that Collins had broken out most of the windows and smoke and flames were coming from the residence. As the chief was attempting to apprehend Collins inside the home, there was an explosion.
Officer Tyler Williams then arrived on scene taking Collins into custody placing him in his patrol car. Collins told the officer that he did set fire to the home which he had been renting from an individual. Collins further stated that he was going to kill the owner and his girlfriend who left prior to the fire. Officers spoke with the girlfriend who stated that Collins was “out of his mind”, busted a window out of her car, and tore off a mirror as she was trying to leave.
Chief Evans found that Collins was in possession of a small firearm at the time of his arrest.
According to the citation, after Collins made it to the Claiborne County Jail, he told Jail Administrator Tim Shrout that he meant to set the fire and that he hoped it caved in. Collins also told Officer Williams there would be another explosion and that the firefighters on scene needed to get out of the home.
The fire rekindled overnight and as of Wednesday, April 20th, it was completely destroyed by fire.
John Collins III was charged with aggravated arson, domestic vandalism over $1,000.00, vandalism over $1,000.00, and possession of a firearm by a felon. He is being held on a $1,000,000 cash bond.
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