Washington Man Allegedly Claimed He Started Fire At Gas Station Because He Was Being Followed

A Washington man is facing charges for allegedly lighting a gas station fuel pump on fire in order to draw law enforcement because unknown people were following him.

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were initially dispatched to the Glenn’s Food gas station at 11810 N. Market Street in Mead at around 3:20 a.m. on Aug. 18, for a report of a suspicious or disorderly man, but while en route, a good Samaritan reported the man had started a fire at the fuel pumps.

Deputies arrived and immediately took the man into custody and activated the emergency gas cutoff switch. Fire crews responded to the scene and extinguished the blaze.

The good Samaritan who called 911, a neighbor of the business, said the man had been acting “erratically” for an hour, yelling, dancing, and hitting the gas pumps.

The suspect, identified as 51-year-old James F. Snyder, allegedly told deputies that three unknown people were following him, though he could not see them and could not provide descriptions. Snyder told deputies he had been yelling for help, but no one came. He allegedly claimed he started the fire to get law enforcement and firefighters to respond.

According to the sheriff’s office, Snyder “took out his wallet, inserted a credit card to pay for fuel, grabbed a lighter from his pocket, and lit the gasoline he had sprayed around.”

The business owner told deputies the damages would cost an estimated $200,000 to repair.

Snyder was booked into the Spokane County Jail on a charge of first-degree arson.

KREM reported that at a court appearance on Tuesday, prosecutors said Snyder had 39 prior convictions, and was out on bond on a separate charge when the alleged arson occurred. A judge set Snyder’s bond at $200,000, and barred him from possessing lighters, torches, or anything that could start a fire.