A Crawfordsville man was arrested after lighting his partner’s clothes on fire and stealing her vehicle.

On Sunday, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call from a female who said her partner had taken her clothes from the home and set them on fire outside. The Henry County Sheriff’s Office arrested 52-year-old Terry Delay of Crawfordsville after Washington County authorities alerted them that Delay may be in the area.

Delay had left the scene after allegedly starting the fire. According to court records, Delay took approximately $7750 dollars in personal property, which included $500 in suitcases, $2250 in
shirts and pants, and $5000 in dresses. Delay stated that he was tired of the items being in the way, so he took them outside and lit them on fire. He had also taken the victim’s 2005 Chevrolet Sienna pickup with the intent to deprive her of it.

Records also show that on May 5th, Delay was arguing with his live-in-girlfriend when he threw a 6 inch 2×4 at her. The block of wood hit the victim in her left lower thigh, leaving a bruise that was still visible on May 10th. She also had similar bruising on her lower and mid-back from Delay throwing a soda can at her, and also kicking her in the back. Delay has at least two previous convictions for domestic assault in Minnesota prior to this event.

Delay has been charged with second degree arson, a class C felony; domestic abuse assault, third or subsequent offense, a class D felony; and second-degree theft, a class D felony. A no contact order has been established. Delay is being held in the Washington County Jail on a $20,000 bond. His preliminary hearing has been set for May 21st.