Arson, Intimidation and Recklessness among Charges Leveled against Man who Terrorized his Former Fiancé

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On the morning of June 30th, the victim contacted the Sheriff’s Office concerning an incident that began at her residence at approximately 2300 hrs on June 29th. The victim was in her car leaving for work when she was rammed in her driveway by a car driven by Raider, her former fiancé. Fearing for her safety, the victim fled in her vehicle. Raider gave chase, hitting her vehicle as they reached speeds close to 90 mph. The victim stated that at one point, Raider attempted to cause her vehicle to spin out by striking it in the rear quarter panel similar to a PIT maneuver (pursuit intervention technique) utilized by law enforcement in vehicle pursuits. She was able to reach her place of employment safely and Raider fled the scene. Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office deputies began searching for Raider but were unable to locate him. The victim was able to file for and obtain a protective order against Raider.

At 2117 hrs on July 2nd, deputies and detectives were called to the scene of a structure fire on Dana Dr. McCutchanville and German Township Fire Departments were able put out the fire which appeared to have been intentionally set inside the residence of the victim. No one was inside at the time. Simultaneously, the Evansville Fire Department and the Evansville Police Department were investigating a car fire at an Evansville business. The fire also appeared to be intentionally set and the vehicle involved belonged to the same victim, who was at work at the business.

An arrest warrant for Intimidation as a level 5 Felony, Recklessness as a Level 6 Felony and Hit and Run as a Class B Misdemeanor was obtained for Raider on the morning of July 3rd. Deputies assigned to the US Marshals Task Force began searching for Raider, at one point traveling to Tell City. They eventually located him in the 800 block of Hess and he was taken into custody without incident. Raider’s employer, Michael Lee Pease had been questioned and advised of the search for Raider and despite being warned not to, Pease told Raider of law enforcement’s efforts to locate him. He even assisted in dropping Raider off on Hess to help him to evade capture. Pease was arrested and charge with Assisting a Criminal.

A detective with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office interviewed Raider today. Raider admitted to all the allegations, including setting both fires. He was charged with one count of Arson for the fire on Dana Dr and the information concerning the car fire will be sent to the Evansville Police Department to be followed up by their personnel.

ARRESTED:

Anthony Shohn Raider (pictured above), 41, of Evansville. Arson as a Level 4 Felony, Intimidation as a Level 5 Felony, Criminal Recklessness as a Level 6 Felony, Hit and Run as a Class B Misdemeanor

Michael Lee Pease (pictured above), 37, Of Evansville. Assisting a Criminal as a Level 6 Felony

Presumption of Innocence Notice: The fact that a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office has arrested an Evansville man on multiple felony charges following a series of incidents involving his former fiancé. Deputies assigned to the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force tracked down and arrested Anthony Shohn Raider on a felony warrant for Intimidation on July 3rd and he was lodged in the Vanderburgh County Jail on a $2,500.00 bond set by the Superior Court. Today, Raider was charged with a felony count of Arson and will be held without bond pending a court appearance. The investigation unfolded as follows: