INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A Vero Beach man has been arrested after he tied his victim up, poured insecticide over him, stole his money and lit his house on fire at in the 100 block of 8th Ct., according to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the defendant said he did all this because the victim exposed his penis to him multiple times and “he just snapped.”
Around 1 p.m. on Wednesday, the Sheriff’s Office was called to a structure fire that wound up being more complicated than a home on fire.
The victim stated he was robbed at knife point by a man later identified as Carl Phillips, 28, according to authorities. He knew Phillips from buying soap sculptures from him for about the last four months. During Phillips’ latest visit to the victim’s home, he said that Phillips was helping him with his wireless internet for his new “Kindle iPad.”
When the victim turned away from Phillips and turned back, a handheld taser was being held to the victim’s neck electrocuting him, according to the Sheriff’s Office. When the victim started to struggle, Phillips held a fillet knife to his neck and threatened to kill him if he did not stop resisting. Phillips then bound his hands and legs and tied him to his bed.
After 15 minutes, Phillips came back to the victim’s bed and demanded he get in the bathtub, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Phillips then covered him with papers and poured insecticide over him. Phillips demanded the victim provide him with the pin numbers for his bank card and his money. The victim said he met all of Phillips’ demands, at which point he left.
When the victim was sitting in the bathtub, he began to smell a strong burning odor, according to authorities. He was then able to free himself and when he left the bathroom he saw his mattress engulfed in flames. When he exited the bedroom he saw that the kitchen was also on fire.
The victim made it out of the home and collapsed on the neighbor’s yard, according to the Sheriff’s office. At that time he noticed that his Ford Thunderbird was missing from the driveway and realized that Phillips had stolen it.
Phillips faces charges of attempted murder, arson, and armed robbery with a weapon. He is currently being held at the county jail on $750,000 bond.
