WHEATFIELD, N.Y. (WKBW) — A Cambria man is facing multiple charges after allegedly crashing into a patrol vehicle and setting it on fire early Saturday morning.
The Niagara County Sheriff's Office announced that 52-year-old Schuyler P. Johnson has been charged with:
- Arson
- Menacing a Police Officer
- Criminal Mischief
- Menacing 2nd - Weapon
- Reckless Driving
- Multiple VTL Violations
The incident happened just before 5 a.m. on Mapleton and Shawnee roads in the Town of Wheatfield.
According to the Niagara County Sheriff's Office, a deputy was patrolling Mapleton Road when a pick-up truck traveling in the opposite direction swerved into the deputy's lane and struck the patrol vehicle head-on.
The sheriff's office says Johnson exited the truck and and ignored verbal commands from the deputy. Johnson allegedly poured gasoline onto the patrol vehicle, ignited it and fled the scene in the truck.
Authorities believe the truck was involved in a second incident after a Niagara County Sheriff's captain found the truck overturned on Shawnee Road.
Johnson allegedly ignored verbal commands from the captain and approached him with a knife. The captain unsuccessfully tased Johnson, but he eventually surrendered after being pepper sprayed, according the sheriff's office.
Johnson was taken to ECMC for injuries sustained in the incident and has since been released.
