Webster police arrested a Southbridge man last week after he tried to set a car on fire outside an apartment complex and accidentally ignited his gas can instead, according to the police department.
Jose Mandujano, 34, is facing charges of attempting to burn a motor vehicle, malicious destruction of property over $1,200, malicious destruction of property under $1,200 and carrying a dangerous weapon in connection with the incident, Webster police wrote in a Monday press release.
Mandujano pleaded not guilty to the charges during his arraignment in Dudley District Court last week, according to court records.
On Jan. 14, Webster police responded to the Hartley Terrace apartment complex shortly before 8:20 p.m. for a report of a man trying to set a car on fire, the police department said. The report indicated that the man was armed with a taser and that he’d since taken off on foot.
Officers quickly set up a perimeter around the apartment complex while searching for the suspect, police said. Witnesses told the officers the suspect ran on Didonato Avenue towards East Main Street.
A detective located near East Main Street soon noticed three men walking down the street, two of whom matched witnesses’ descriptions of the suspect, police said. The detective and another officer then stopped and identified the men.
While speaking with the men, officers heard what sounded like metal dropping to the ground, police said. The detective then shined his flashlight at the ground and saw a large kitchen knife and taser near the feet of one of the men.
Police arrested the man, who was identified as Mandujano, and discovered he had a separate warrant out for his arrest, police said. Officers released the other man, who they confirmed wasn’t involved in the incident.
The police investigation revealed that Mandujano had poured gasoline all over a specific car parked near the apartment complex, but accidentally ignited the gas in his gas can instead of the car, police said.
“This appears to be a targeted event, and it is not believed to be random,” Webster police wrote.
During Mandujano’s arraignment in Dudley District Court on Jan. 15, the judge ordered him held on $500 cash bail. Court records indicate that he has yet to post bail.
