WEBSTER, MA — A man was arrested Wednesday night after allegedly attempting to set a vehicle on fire at an apartment complex.
Webster Police officers and detectives responded to the Hartley Terrace apartment complex at approximately 8:19 p.m. Jan. 14 for a report of a man attempting to light a vehicle on fire.
The man was reported to be armed with a taser and fled on foot after lighting the fire.
Officers arrived and established a perimeter while searching for the suspect.
Witnesses told officers the man ran on Didonato Avenue toward East Main Street.
Detective Timothy Whiting observed three men walking on East Main Street by Brodeur Avenue while in the area of Racicot Avenue.
Two of the men fit the description provided by witnesses.
Assisted by Officer Nicholas Trinque, the two men were stopped and identified.
Officers heard the sound of metal hitting the ground while speaking with the men.
Detective Whiting shined his flashlight at the ground and observed a large kitchen knife and taser near the feet of one of the males.
The man was placed in handcuffs and arrested after further investigation.
He was identified as Jose Mandujano, 34, of Southbridge.
The other man was confirmed to have not been involved and was released.
The investigation revealed Mandujano had walked up to a specific vehicle parked at Hartley Terrace and poured gasoline all over the vehicle.
Mandujano attempted to light the gasoline, but it did not ignite the vehicle and instead lit the gas can on fire.
Mandujano was charged with attempting to burn a motor vehicle, malicious destruction of property over $1,200, malicious destruction of property under $1,200 and carrying a dangerous weapon.
Mandujano also had a separate warrant for his arrest.
