Bend burglary suspect throws Molotov cocktail, fights K-9, sets self on fire
By: -----
Bend, OR - A Bend man was arrested Friday morning, accused by police of burglarizing a gas station and throwing a Molotov cocktail at a responding sheriff's deputy. Surveillance video from inside the store shows the break-in, the suspect trying to fight off a K-9 and setting himself on fire.
Bend Police officers responded to the Space Age Fuel gas station in Grandview Drive on the north side of Bend around 4:15 a.m., Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller said Friday. The person calling in the report was watching the burglary on surveillance cameras and reported the man inside was damaging property, building Molotov cocktails and dousing the store with flammable products, Miller said.
Space Age owner Danny Johal was the man watching it all unfold.
"The individual broke in with a rock. Came in, shuffled around. Damaged a bunch of products and then proceeded to use fuel additive to try and light the store on fire," Johal said. "Gas stations are flammable. They're not to be messed with. Not only that, but we have a Volvo right next door. I'm sure all of their vehicles are loaded with gas. When these gas stations light, they go off."
Surveillance video shows a large rock being thrown through the front door, shattering the glass. The suspect, wearing a hoodie and shorts, steps in and grabs some items from the freezer. He later begins throwing liquids around the store, even hitting the surveillance camera.
Deschutes County Sheriff's Office deputies responded first and found the front doors shattered. Miller said the suspect lit one of the Molotov cocktails and threw it at a deputy, lightning the store's rug on fire.
The video shows the suspect with a white bottle and lighting it. He throws it and the bottle hits the ATM just inside the front door. A deputy is seen on the other side of the door, darting away. But the cloth or towel he lit on fire fell out as he threw it. It hit a cooler behind him and fell to the floor, setting the rug next to him on fire.
"When the authorities came, he had bottles of fuel additive set up like a Molotov cocktail with paper towels shoved in them. He had them lined up, ready. When the police showed up, he lit them on fire and attempted to throw them at the police," Johal said.
Seconds later, Deschutes County K-9 Vinnie comes in and clamps down on the suspect's arm. The suspect wrestles with Vinnie and takes a swing at him. In the process, his foot catches fire from the rug, but doesn't realize it for several seconds before rolling around and putting it out.
Moments later, Vinnie runs back in and the suspect gives himself up.
Miller identified the suspect as Steven Earl Ramsey, 55, of Bend. He was taken to St. Charles for evaluation and then booked into the Deschutes County Jail on suspicion of second-degree burglary, first-degree disorderly conduct, first-degree criminal mischief, second-degree theft, reckless burning and for a felony warrant.
K9 Vinnie sustained minor injuries during the arrest.
Bend Fire arrived to make sure there was no more threat of fire to the gas station.
Damage to the store was estimated at $11,000 to $15,000. It's a blow to a business that's already struggled due to the Highway 97 bypass project.