Standoff suspect arrested for arson
Published 12:00 am Thursday, June 14, 2012
The suicidal Andalusia man who burned his home during a nearly three-hour standoff in May was arrested Tuesday on an arson charge.
Adolph Briggs Jr., 37, called media outlets, including The Star-News, stating he was going to kill himself at his home on Johnson Street on May 8.
The incident started as a domestic dispute. Police were able to remove him from the home, but not before he set the home on fire. Briggs was transported to Andalusia Regional Hospital, treated for smoke inhalation and released.
“The majority of the time since his release (from the hospital), Mr. Briggs has been in a mental facility in Atlanta, getting the help he needed,” said APD Investigator Cody Warren Tuesday.
Warren said immediately following the incident, Briggs was charged with one count of domestic violence and one count of arson II because of the damage to the home. Briggs escaped more serious charges because he never produced a weapon or threatened anyone at the scene.
“However, we had to wait until he returned to Andalusia before arresting him on the arson charge,” Warren said.
Warren said Briggs was booked into the Covington County Jail and was immediately released after posting a $10,000 bail.