A Council Bluffs man was arrested over the weekend on attempted murder and arson charges, after allegedly pouring gasoline on another man and threatening to set him on fire. According to Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker, 31-year-old Eric Smith was taken into custody Saturday at residence in rural Pott County, between Council Bluffs and Treynor.
Danker says from what they understand, three men, including Smith, went to a home on Dogwood Avenue at around 8 AM Wednesday, with the intention to smoke marijuana. At the home, Smith became upset with the victim, 31-year-old Steve Jones, of Council Bluffs, for allegedly taking his mother’s ring.
Danker says Smith began to beat Jones with a fireplace poker, but was restrained by another man. Smith then left the home and came back a few minutes later with a can of gasoline and allegedly poured it on Jones, before threatening to set him on fire if he didn’t reveal the location of the ring. The other man in the home was able to prevent Smith from carrying out the threat.
After Jones was taken to the hospital, a warrant was issued for Smith’s arrest. He’s currently being held in the Pottawattamie County Jail.