Man Who Tried To Light Denny's Patrons On Fire Placed On Psychiatric Hold: Police

HAYWARD, CA - Police on Thursday said a 43-year-old man who allegedly tried to set several people on fire Wednesday at a Hayward Denny's after dousing them with gasoline has been placed on a psychiatric hold pending charges by the Alameda County District Attorney's Office.

Police have not yet released the identity of the man.

Officers with the Hayward Police Department responded at 9:54 a.m. to an incident at the Denny's restaurant at 30163 Industrial Blvd. Police said the suspect was inside the restaurant eating breakfast when he got up, pulled out a container similar to a lighter fluid container and doused several patrons, including a small child, and the floor near the entrance with a flammable liquid.

Police said the man was in the process of trying to ignite the floor with a lighter when several patrons and employees physically detained him. The man briefly broke free as police arrived, but he was taken into custody without incident, police said.

— Bay City News; Image via Morguefile

Also See:

• Denny's Horror: Man Douses Hayward Restaurant Patrons With Gasoline, Tries To Start Fire, Police Say
• Reward Offered For Armed Robbery Suspect
• Lafayette Burglary Suspects: Police Release Photos
• Identified: Accused Serial Arsonist's Name, Photo Released
• Amid housing crisis, why 2 out of 5 young Californians live at home
• John Muir Doctor Arrested In Sexual Assault Case