Jan. 11--A Van Buren man was arrested Monday after he doused himself in gasoline and threatened to burn down his mother's house with both of them in it, according to a police spokesperson.
Van Buren police received complaints Monday that Jason Wayne Strickland, 43, had been abusive and made death threats to his mother for the past few weeks, according to a news release issued by detective Jonathan Wear, public information officer for the Van Buren Police Department.
Strickland, who had previously been banned from the residence in the 100 block of South 42nd Street, was inside the residence Monday when police arrived to remove him. Strickland locked himself in a bedroom when they arrived, and officers had to kick open the door to gain entry, according to the release.
When they entered, they found Strickland, who was only wearing underwear, standing in the room with a gas can in one hand and a lighter in the other, according to the release.
"Strickland then stated, 'If you come any closer, I'll kill us both,' according to the release.
Strickland then poured the gas on himself, a bed and the carpet before threatening to light it, according to the release. He then surrendered after a brief stand-off.
Strickland was arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault, second-degree battery, terroristic threatening and criminal trespass, according to the release.
Emergency Medical Services was called to assist, but no one was injured in the incident, according to the release.
Copyright 2012 - Times Record, Fort Smith, Ark.
