Truck theft suspect held after threatening to set himself on fire

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A 32-year-old Chula Vista man was arrested Monday afternoon on suspicion of burglary and auto theft after he doused himself with gasoline and apparently threatened to light himself on fire, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.

The incident began when sheriff’s deputies received a call about a man with black paint on his face and arms who was breaking into homes in Ramona.

A man fitting that description stole a Ford F-150 truck from one of the driveways, the Sheriff’s Department said. As deputies followed the truck, the driver began to throw things out the window and then doused himself with gasoline and threw out a flaming towel.

Using a spike strip, deputies managed to disable the truck on Highway 78. Deputies used tear gas and a police dog to arrest the driver, identified as Oscar Torres.

Torres was taken to a hospital and then booked into San Diego County jail on charges of burglary and vehicle theft.

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