Sussex Teen Charged After Lighting Gas Can on Fire

A 17-year-old Sussex man is facing charges after he ran from police after he got into an altercation with his mother’s boyfriend for setting a five-gallon gas can on fire.

Kalman J. Farkas was charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court last week with one count of obstructing an officer, one count of disorderly conduct and two counts of bail jumping. If convicted, he faces up to 2½ years in prison and $31,000 in fines.

According to the criminal complaint:

Farkas has been drinking a large amount of whiskey and Coke while attending a bonfire on July 4 at a residence in the N6000 block of Teakwood Court when he decided to light the gas can because he wanted more fuel for the fire. The fire eventually engulfed the can and set a gas grill near the can on fire.

The complaint states his mother and her boyfriend then told Farkas he wasn’t welcome at the residence because he had been drinking and because he set the gas can on fire. He then attempted to break into the residence, but police were called, which caused Farkas to flee on foot.

Officers eventually found Farkas hiding underneath a pickup truck. After being arrested, he then continued to shout from the back of a squad car and unfastened his seatbelt.

Farkas had been free on a $2,500 signature bond for a May 18 in which he fled from officers.