LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – A 50-year-old Louisville man, Rafael Batista Milanes, was arrested after a chaotic incident involving arson, threats, and attacks on law enforcement at an apartment complex on Southside Drive, near National Turnpike.
According to court documents, police were called to the scene after Milanes was reported riding a bicycle through the complex, threatening residents, deflating car tires, and placing flowers on vehicles.
Witnesses also told police that Milanes had threatened to kill his mother and shoved her. He had been arrested the day before and was under a court order not to return to the location as part of his pre-arraignment release conditions.
When Louisville Metro Police (LMPD) officers arrived, Milanes had barricaded himself inside an apartment, throwing his clothes and belongings from the balcony. Officers say he escalated the situation by throwing large vases and shards of glass at them, breaking a window, and setting items on fire inside the unit.
Nearby apartments were evacuated as a safety precaution. Officers eventually broke through the sliding glass door and used fire extinguishers to douse the flames, though Milanes reportedly continued igniting items inside.
He was eventually taken into custody and caused over $1,000 in property damage, according to police.
Milanes faces multiple charges, including:
Violation of conditions of release
Menacing
Criminal mischief
Harassment
No injuries were reported in the incident.
