Manassas Man Tried To Set Fire To Gas Pumps, Arrested: Police

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — A 40-year-old Manassas man was arrested after he tried to set fire to gas pumps at a Fredericksburg gas station early Friday morning, according to Fredericksburg City Police.

Sheetz management contacted police around 1:58 a.m. to report that a man who had been trespassed from one of its Fredericksburg locations on Thursday had returned and was acting erratically, according to police. The man was also seen trying to set items on fire in the parking lot.

Officers Taylor and Berry responded to the scene, but they were unable to immediately locate the suspect, who was identified as David Rodriguez, according to police.

The Sheetz manager told the officers that she had seen Rodriguez set a candy bar on fire near her vehicle. As Officer Taylor was talking to a bystander, she noticed a man matching Rodriguez’s description walking toward the gas station, according to police. Both officers called out to the man, as they approached him.

Dashing toward the gas pumps, Rodrigeuz grabbed a nozzle, while he held a lighter in his other hand. The two officers grabbed Rodriguez’s arms, which made him drop the pump, according to police. Although Rodriguez ignored the officers’ commands, resisted arrest and tried to run off, Berry and Tayor were able to take him into custody without further incident.

Rodriguez was arrested and charged with arson, two counts of vandalism, trespass after being forbidden, shoplifting, obstruction of justice and property damage, according to Fredericksburg City Police.