A foiled alleged car theft attempt led to firefighters being called to an East Baton Rouge apartment complex to help extinguish an automobile engulfed in flames.
Johan Mendez, 24, was taken into custody in the wee hours of Tuesday morning, October 11, after allegedly being caught in the act of burglarizing a vehicle by the vehicle’s owner.
After the ensuing argument in which Mendez attempted to obtain the vehicle’s keys, he retrieved a gas can and stood atop the vehicle, emptying the flammable contents of the gas can onto the car.
Then Mendez allegedly used a lighter to set the vehicle ablaze, according to the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office.
When firefighters arrived, they found two vehicles on fire and Mendez being detained by the apartment complex’s security.
Fire investigators found that the evidence showed the fire to be intentionally set and in close proximity to an apartment complex occupied by multiple families.
Mendez has been charged with aggravated arson, simple battery and simple burglary.
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