A 55-year-old Bend man was arrested after burglarizing a gas station and throwing a Molotov cocktail at law enforcement. According to Bend Police, at approximately 4:15 a.m. on Friday, June 6, police responded to a report of a burglary in progress at Space Age Fuel on Grandview Drive. The reporting party 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.
Deschutes County Sheriff’s deputies also responded to the call, arriving on scene shortly before Bend officers to find a shattered front door. The man lit one of his makeshift Molotov cocktails and threw it at a deputy, lighting the store’s rug on fire. He attempted to light a second Molotov cocktail and to light the floor on fire as well. Deputies deployed K9 Vinnie, and K9 Vinnie bit Ramsey. Ramsey eventually complied and was taken into custody.
Damage to the store is estimated at between $11,000 and $15,000.
Bend Fire responded to evaluate the suspect and to ensure there was no longer a threat of fire at the gas station. The suspect was transported to St. Charles Bend and then to 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 Police thanks Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and Bend Fire & Rescue for their assistance on this case.
