LOXLEY, Ala. – Authorities in Baldwin County arrested a Mobile man on Thursday night for allegedly setting his girlfriend’s trailer home on fire, resulting in the complete loss of the residence. Loxley Police reported that no one was inside the trailer at the time of the incident, but sadly, four pets perished in the fire.
The charred remains of the house trailer on County Road 49 in Loxley were all that was left Friday morning after the 31-year-old suspect, Joseph Andrew Lersch, allegedly set it ablaze following an argument with his girlfriend, the trailer’s owner. According to Sgt. Zach Kuiken of the Loxley Police, the situation escalated into a physical altercation, prompting the girlfriend to leave the trailer and seek refuge at a family member’s residence. During her absence, Lersch allegedly used gasoline and a lighter to ignite the fire.
When the victim called 9-1-1 for help, the trailer burned down too quickly to be saved by firefighters. Authorities charged Lersch with aggravated animal cruelty in addition to arson, as the fire trapped a mother dog and her three puppies in a kennel.
Upon police arrival, the suspect attempted to flee the scene and appeared to be under the influence of drugs. After a brief pursuit, he was apprehended and, according to the police, demonstrated resistance while being restrained. The suspect caused damage in the back of the patrol vehicle and continued to resist, resulting in additional charges of resisting arrest and criminal mischief.
Joseph Lersch now faces charges of domestic violence, arson, aggravated animal cruelty, resisting arrest, and criminal mischief. Police have requested that he be held without bond until his court appearance. However, his scheduled bond hearing was postponed after it was reported that Lersch was hospitalized and placed on life support. Further details regarding his condition remain unknown at this time.