Seat Belt Set On Fire By Assault Suspect In Arlington Police Cruiser

ARLINGTON, VA — A 30-year-old larceny suspect in custody, who turned out to be wanted by the U.S. Marshal's Service, set fire to the seatbelt of the Arlington County Police cruiser he'd been placed in on Tuesday.

ACPD officers quickly extinguished the fire, which the man started with a hidden lighter. No one was injured, but the suspect was taken to the hospital to be evaluated.

Officers responded around 10:52 a.m. on Tuesday for the report of a larceny in progress at a business in the 1200 block of S. Hayes St.

A preliminary investigation determined that the man entered two separate business, took merchandise, and left the premises without paying, according to police. Finding the suspect nearby, police recovered the stolen merchandise.

During the arrest, the suspect was uncooperative, provided false identification, and assaulted an officer, causing a minor injury, according to police. He was then handcuffed and placed inside the cruiser, where he started the fire with a lighter. It was during the investigation that ACPD learned that Giles was wanted by the U.S. Marshal's Office.

ACPD charged Derrick Giles of no fixed address with one count each of assault on police, identity theft, arson, fugitive from justice and obstruction of justice. He was also charged with to counts of petit larceny. Giles was then held without bond.