Crime & Safety

Police: Man Ignites His Home Due To 'CIA-Implanted Computer In His Brain'

Ronald Bailey allegedly asked when firefighters would finish so he could 'start the rest of the house on fire.'

A man is charged with first-degree arson after police say he set his Minnetonka home on fire on Dec. 1. 

Ronald Gary Bailey, 49, was charged with one count of first degree arson, a felony, and one count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm, a gross misdemeanor.

Smoke and fire were reported coming from the home on Dec. 1 just after 9 p.m.

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Bailey's home is located at 15101 block of Victor Lane, west of I-494. Victor Lane is a dead end street off of Eden Prairie Road, near Eden Prairie's Birch Island Park.

Upon arrival, emergency personnel observed the single family residence engulfed in flames. Firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze, but the structure was destroyed. All of the occupants were evacuated from the home, and there were no injuries reported, according to the city. 

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At the time of arrival, officers located the homeowner Bailey standing at the end of his driveway. When asked how the fire started, Bailey allegedly said, “You should know, you did this, the CIA implanted a computer in my brain and body.” 

As firefighters began working to extinguish the fire,  Bailey allegedly asked when firefighters would finish so he could “start the rest of my house on fire.” 

According to the court complaint, Bailey also asked, “What do I have to do, how big of a bomb do I have to build before the police respect me?” 

Officers then transported Bailey to HCMC crisis. During a pat-down search, officers say they located a handgun magazine in his pocket that contained five live .380 caliber rounds and an empty holster around his waist. 

Bailey allegedly told police that the FBI and CIA have his residence bugged and that he is the “first half-man/half-robot created by the government.” On the way to HCMC, Bailey blamed “Obama” and the “CIA” for burning his house down, blamed his father, and threatened to burn down his entire neighborhood after getting released, according to court documents.

Officers spoke with neighbors who reported hearing multiple gunshots prior to observing the fire. An automatic handgun was allegedly found inside the house, along with numerous boxes of live ammunition.

Bailey was charged with felony fleeing a peace officer in 2006 but was found not guilty by reason of mental illness and was civilly committed. Because of this, he is unable to possess a firearm.

Bailey's bail was set at $100,000. He next appears in court on Jan. 14.


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