Molotov Cocktail Hurled At DC Police Cruiser; Suspect in Custody

WASHINGTON, DC — Metropolitan Police Department detectives from the Arson Task Force arrested a suspect who threw a Molotov cocktail at an unmarked police cruiser Wednesday in the Deanwood area, according to a police release.

Around 5:51 p.m., an officer was entering the cruiser, which was parked in the 5000 block of Hayes Street, N.E., when a man threw an improvised incendiary device, commonly known as a Molotov cocktail, at the vehicle. The Molotov cocktail hit the cruiser and landed on the ground. Following a brief foot pursuit, responding officers took the suspect into custody. No injuries were reported.

Police arrested Ashton Nesmith, 26, of Northeast, and charged him with assault with intent to kill, possession of a Molotov cocktail with intent to use, and assault on a police officer.