1 arrested after probation officer set on fire in Stockton
One person was arrested after a probation officer was set on fire in central Stockton, officials said Thursday.
Stockton police said it received a call just before 2:30 p.m. from Stanislaus County probation officers requesting assistance in a parking lot under the Crosstown Freeway, in the area of South San Joaquin and East Lafayette streets.
One of the probation officers was located at the scene with significant, but non-life-threatening burns to his arm, police said.
A 39-year-old man was also located at the scene and arrested. He has been identified by Stockton police as Adam Lopez -- who was on post-release supervision, according to the San Joaquin County Probation Department.
A CBS Sacramento photojournalist observed a car with significant burn damage, as well as a red gas can and a lighter.
Law enforcement officials said the man had entered a probation department lobby just a few blocks away from the scene with a gas can and a lighter. The suspect left after being confronted by security.
That situation prompted an officer from the probation department to respond and attempt to detain Lopez, who had walked to the scene at South San Joaquin and East Lafayette.
After a struggle, the probation department said the suspect used the gas can and lighter to ignite the fire, burning the officer and the vehicle.
Other probation officers had responded and were able to extinguish the flames and detain the suspect.
The officer and Lopez were both hospitalized for treatment. The car was determined not to be related to the suspect or the victim.
Lopez has since been booked into San Joaquin County Jail on charges of attempted homicide and arson. The officer remains hospitalized, police said Friday.