By Police1 Staff
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A suspect who led police on a foot pursuit allegedly set two patrol cars on fire while in custody.
Police told KRIS News an officer pulled the suspect over Thursday after spotting him using his phone while driving. When an officer approached the vehicle, he smelled marijuana and discovered drugs inside the suspect’s car.
The suspect was detained, but escaped from police custody, leading officers on a foot pursuit. He was TASERed after resisting arrest and placed in a patrol car.
According to the news station, he allegedly set the inside of the police car on fire. He was transferred to a different patrol vehicle and allegedly set the second vehicle on fire while police were addressing the media.
The damage is minor and the police cars should be back on patrol within days.
Police said the suspect hid a lighter in his pockets.
“This is the first time that I have seen this after 19 years of service,” Capt. Christopher White said.
The suspect is facing two charges of arson, and charges of drug possession and evading and resisting arrest.
https://twitter.com/KRIS6News/status/834867575796486150