MEDIA RELEASE
Date: December 24, 2011
On December 22, 2011 the Levy County Sheriff's Office responded to 7290 NW 95TH Street Chiefland in reference to a domestic altercation. The complainant stated that her husband, Arthur Pipes Jr. left prior to deputies' arrival armed with several weapons including an AK-47 assault rifle. The complainant stated that Pipes made threats that he would shoot law enforcement or wanted the police to shoot him. A statewide BOLO (Be On The Lookout) for Pipes was issued for Officer safety.
The complainant stated that the altercation began Thursday night at a Chiefland Pool Hall and continued when they got home. The victim advised she was scared of her husband and stayed at her mother's residence. Pipes is a veteran serving in the Army & completed two combat tours in Iraq. The victim advised that Pipes has been diagnosed by the V.A. Hospital with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and had been out of his medication for over 6 days.
On December 23, 2011 the victim called 9-1-1 and reported that her husband was at the residence. Upon deputies arrival Pipes had left the house and a bolo was issued. The investigation revealed that Pipes became extremely angry when the victim told him she wanted a divorce and emptied the bank account. Pipes went outside and armed with a 5-gallon gas can started dousing gas throughout the house. Pipes had a cigarette lighter and attempted to light the house on fire when the victim and her mother wrestled the lighter from his hands. Pipes walked outside and shot the pet dog (Mix Labrador) several times with an AK-47 killing the dog and then he fled the scene in a black Ford truck.
During the investigation at the residence Pipes returned and deputies ordered him out of the truck. There was a short stand off, but Pipes complied with their orders and he was arrested for two counts of aggravated assault, one count of animal cruelty and one count of attempted arson. Inside of Pipes truck deputies found a loaded AK-47 rifle, loaded 380 semi-automatic pistol, .22-caliber rifle in the toolbox and two flashlights.
Pipes gave Sgt. Mike Narayan a statement and admitted to pouring gasoline with intention to burning the house. Pipes said he risked his life fighting in Iraq and earned money to pay for the house and now his wife has emptied the bank account and wanted a divorce. Pipes stated that he shot the victim's dog three times with his AK-47 because the dog would not stop barking.
Pipes is currently in the Levy County Jail with a $ 600,000 bond.
Defendant:
Arthur Lee Pipes Jr.
7290 NW 95th Street
Chiefland, Fl.
W/M, 11/11/1986
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Major Evan Sullivan
Levy County Sheriff's Office
FBI-National Academy 183rd Session
Office: 352-486-5446
Cell: 352-577-4218