GREENFIELD — A New Castle man faces arson and auto theft charges following an investigation into a garage fire late last year.
Zachary Lee Olston, 32, is charged in Hancock Circuit Court with arson, a Level 4 felony; and auto theft, a Level 6 felony.
The charges stem from a garage fire in the 500 block of Riley Avenue in Greenfield on the evening of Nov. 9, 2020, and a report of a stolen vehicle the following day.
A probable cause affidavit states Olston had been allowed to stay in the garage for a short time several months prior, but not at that time.
Olston’s mother and sister visited the garage, worried about his condition and drug abuse, according to the affidavit. They and the boyfriend of the property’s resident tried to get him to come out of the garage. Olston’s mother reported smelling smoke, the affidavit continues, and eventually Olston opened the garage’s service door. She pulled Olston out and saw a flame in the garage before he fled the scene.
The following day, the resident’s boyfriend reported his vehicle was stolen while he was inside his girlfriend’s residence. Later that day, the car was located in Charlottesville, where Olston also was, visiting his cousin. The boyfriend went to Charlottesville to confront Olston, and law enforcement soon joined the two.
The Hancock County Jail informed officers it would not accept Olston for possession of stolen vehicle, however.
Greenfield Fire Territory and insurance investigations into the fire report the blaze was intentionally set, according to the affidavit.
In March, Olston was in the Hancock County Jail for an unrelated offense. A detective and fire investigator questioned him, during which he admitted to setting the fire that led to the garage blaze and taking the vehicle the following day, according to the affidavit.
