Man attempted to set vehicles on fire near Capital Mall, Olympia police say
A 34-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted arson near Capital Mall early Monday morning, according to Olympia police.
The series of events was reported by a passing delivery driver, Lt. Paul Lower said.
Around 1:40 a.m., the driver allegedly saw the suspect pouring liquid from a red fuel container over three vehicles parked at 2525 Capital Mall Dr. SW.
The suspect then allegedly attempted to spark a lighter over the cars, but he threw it aside when it didn’t work.
The suspect walked away from the vehicles and the delivery driver called 911, according to Lower.
The officers who arrived on scene confirmed the liquid smelled and looked like gasoline, Lower said.
Police located the suspect a short distance from the mall, and the delivery driver identified him.
The suspect was booked into the Thurston County Jail for second-degree attempted arson.
Lower was not certain what happened to the three vehicles, but thought that police contacted their owners and instructed the drivers to wash their cars before being used again.