x
Breaking News
More () »

Suspect arrested after allegedly setting fire to 4 state patrol cars in Statesville

A witness was able to describe a suspect who was later taken into custody.

STATESVILLE, N.C. — Four patrol cars were set on fire Monday night in Statesville, according to authorities. It happened around 9:50 p.m. outside the 7-Eleven on Turnersburg Highway.

The off-duty officers were inside the convenience door when a bystander told them their vehicles were on fire. The troopers were able to put out the vehicle fires with fire extinguishers. In total, four patrol cars were damaged, three of which were not drivable and had to be towed away from the 7-Eleven.

The person who alerted the officers to the vehicles on fire was able to describe a suspect they saw to the officers. One of the officers recognized the person the witness described in the nearby area and took the 49-year-old man into custody.

RELATED: Pedestrian dies following crash on Old Statesville Road

The Statesville Police Department is handling the investigation and the pending charges for the suspect. 

Statesville Police said the department believes this fire was set intentionally as a targeted act at law enforcement in general, not these troopers specifically.

RELATED: Maryland woman attempts to set fire to a porch of home with people inside, police say

Contact Austin Walker at awalker@wcnc.com and follow him on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram.

Wake Up Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with the team at Wake Up Charlotte.  
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Stitcher || TuneIn || Google Podcasts   

All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere. 

Before You Leave, Check This Out