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Police: Arson attempt blew up in suspect's face on camera

By Ben Hooper
Police in Colorado Springs are trying to identify the man seen in security footage trying to push a flaming jar of gasoline through the night deposit slot at a Wells Fargo Bank. Colorado Springs Police Department/Facebook video screenshot
Police in Colorado Springs are trying to identify the man seen in security footage trying to push a flaming jar of gasoline through the night deposit slot at a Wells Fargo Bank. Colorado Springs Police Department/Facebook video screenshot

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- Colorado police are working to identify a man whose apparent attempted arson literally blew up in his face while a security camera was rolling.

The Colorado Springs Police Department said officers and firefighters responded to the Wells Fargo Bank Sept. 8 on a report of a gas smell in the building and the investigators located a jar of suspected gasoline in an overnight drop box.

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Police looked at security footage from that side of the building and discovered video of a man attempting to light the jar and push it through the slot, but the apparent attempted arson went wrong when the jar shot flames toward his face.

The suspect ran out of the camera's frame before returning to push the jar, which did not appear to be flaming any longer, the rest of the way through the slot.

Police said they are working to identify the suspect, who may have been burned in the incident.

The Colorado Springs Police Department is looking for the public’s assistance to identify the suspect in an attempted arson investigation.On September 8, 2015, firefighters from the Colorado Springs Fire Department and police officers from the Colorado Springs Police Department responded to the Wells Fargo Bank at 5495 North Academy Bl on the report of a gas smell at the building. A glass jar filled with suspected gasoline was located in the overnight drop box on the side of the building. Review of the security footage showed a lone suspect who attempted to light the jar on fire prior to placing it inside the drop box. The suspect arrived on a bicycle. Based on the security video it appears as if the suspect may have received burns from the incident.If anyone has information on this criminal incident please contact the police department at (719) 444-7000 or you may call Pikes Peak Area Crime Stoppers, Inc. at (719) 634-STOP (7867); you do not have to give your name and could earn a cash reward.

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Posted by Colorado Springs Police Department on Tuesday, September 29, 2015

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