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On August 18, 2026, Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report of a disorderly male at Glenn’s Food“On August 18, 2026, at approximately 3:20 am, Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a reported disorderly male who had been yelling, dancing, and hitting the gas pumps in the parking lot of Glenn’s Food, 11810 N. Market Street.”
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The report was at 3:20 a.m.“On August 18, 2026, at approximately 3:20 am, Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a reported disorderly male who had been yelling, dancing, and hitting the gas pumps in the parking lot of Glenn’s Food, 11810 N. Market Street.”
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The report was at 11810 N. Market Street“Glenn’s Food, 11810 N. Market Street.”
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The suspect was identified as 51-year-old James F. Snyder“The Good Samaritan neighbor of the business said the male, later identified as 51-year-old James F. Snyder, had been acting erratically for the last hour.”
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James F. Snyder ignited a fire at the gas pumps“Snyder told Deputies that 3 unknown people, whom he could not see, were following him. He could not provide a description or even whether they were male or female. He said he was scared and yelling for help, but no one came. He then decided to start a fire to get law enforcement and firefighters to respond. He walked to the gas pumps, 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.”
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James F. Snyder claimed he was being followed by three unseen people“Snyder told Deputies that 3 unknown people, whom he could not see, were following him. He could not provide a description or even whether they were male or female.”
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James F. Snyder had been acting erratically for an hour“The Good Samaritan neighbor of the business said the male, later identified as 51-year-old James F. Snyder, had been acting erratically for the last hour.”
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James F. Snyder sprayed gasoline around the pumps“He walked to the gas pumps, 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.”
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James F. Snyder used a credit card to pay for fuel“He walked to the gas pumps, 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.”
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James F. Snyder lit the gasoline with a lighter“He walked to the gas pumps, 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.”
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Deputies upgraded to Code 3 response after learning of the fire“Because of this new information, and out of concern that the gas pumps or tanks could explode and endanger people in the surrounding area, Deputies upgraded their response to Code 3.”
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Deputies activated the emergency gas cutoff“Deputies arrived, took the suspect into custody, and activated the emergency gas cutoff switch.”
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Deputies arrested Snyder“They quickly took him into custody as additional Deputies activated the emergency cutoff switch.”
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The business owner estimated $200,000 in damage“The owner estimated the damage to be approximately $200,000.”
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Snyder faces a felony arson charge“Snyder was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail on a felony charge of Arson 1st Degree.”
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Snyder told deputies he was scared“Snyder told Deputies that 3 unknown people, whom he could not see, were following him. He could not provide a description or even whether they were male or female. He said he was scared and yelling for help, but no one came. He then decided to start a fire to get law enforcement and firefighters to respond.”
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Snyder yelled for help“He was scared and yelling for help, but no one came.”
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No one responded to Snyder's call for helpNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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Snyder set the fire to alert authorities“Snyder told Deputies that 3 unknown people, whom he could not see, were following him. He could not provide a description or even whether they were male or female. He said he was scared and yelling for help, but no one came. He then decided to start a fire to get law enforcement and firefighters to respond.”
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Spokane County Fire District 9 extinguished the flames quickly“Spokane County Fire District 9 Firefighters arrived and quickly extinguished the flames.”