By Bonnie Culverhouse

A Minden Medical Center patient’s impatience was possibly behind his arrest Tuesday evening.

Robert L. Jones, 53, of the 1300 block of School Street, Ringgold, was arrested by Minden Police for aggravated arson in his MMC room.

Chief Jared McIver said Sgt. Chris Cayer and Lt. Spencer Tippen were dispatched around 9 p.m. to Jones’ room in reference to a fire.

“The medical staff told officers that Jones had been released earlier, and they allowed him to stay in his room because he didn’t have a ride,” McIver said. “A nurse walking the floor smelled smoke and entered the room. She stated Jones had set fire to a styrofoam plate.”

Jones reportedly saw the nurse and dropped the burning plate in the trash can, then poured milk over it.

“Another staff member utilized a fire extinguisher to ensure the fire was out, but the third floor was extremely smoked up,” said the chief.

Jones, who reportedly refused to speak with officers, was arrested and transported to Minden Police Department for booking.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.