By Gloria Drealomalicha
A 36-year-old man from Indiana has been charged with arson after allegedly severing his own penis, dousing it with petrol and setting it alight inside a neighbour’s garage, according to police.
Authorities identified the suspect as Christopher Peden of Fort Wayne. Investigators said the incident took place on 6 May and initially prompted a false report that he had been attacked.
According to court documents cited by local broadcaster FOX 59, Peden later admitted that he had inflicted the injuries on himself inside the garage using a kitchen knife.
Police said he confessed to severing his penis before pouring petrol over it and setting it on fire on the floor just inside the garage entrance. The blaze reportedly caused damage to the property.
Officers said Peden was later found and initially claimed he had been stabbed in Fort Wayne’s city centre. However, during questioning, he admitted the account was false and told investigators he wanted to “be truthful” about what had happened.
As part of the investigation, detectives recovered several items from the garage, including a red petrol container, four cigarette lighters and a kitchen knife, all of which have been retained as evidence.
Peden has since been charged with arson and is expected to appear in court next week.
Police have not disclosed a possible motive for the incident, and investigations remain ongoing.
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