Man Sets Gas Pump Fire to Call Police

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  Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested James F. Snyder, 51, on August 18, 2026“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. 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 set fire to gasoline at Glenn’s Food gas 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 set fire to gasoline at Glenn’s Food gas pumps to summon emergency responders“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 told deputies he was scared of unseen followers“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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  James F. Snyder lit the fire after spraying fuel and using a lighter to pay for gas“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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  The incident was reported 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 incident caused an estimated $200,000 in damage to the business“The owner estimated the damage to be approximately $200,000.”
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  Deputies activated an emergency gas cutoff switch“Deputies arrived, took the suspect into custody, and activated the emergency gas cutoff switch.”
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  Spokane Regional Fire District 9 extinguished the flamesNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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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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  The business owner confirmed the damage estimate upon arrival“Deputies also contacted the business owner, who arrived after learning of the incident. He estimated it would cost about $200,000 to repair the damage the suspect caused.”
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  Snyder was booked into Spokane County Jail following the incident“Snyder was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail on a felony charge of Arson 1st Degree.”