A suspect was hospitalized after he led police on a high-speed chase in Prescott, Arizona, before using a blowtorch to detonate a propane tank, causing an explosion and burning his vehicle,
Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office said.The suspect failed to stop for police during a traffic stop on February 12 and was pursued to a residential area, where police said he rammed a patrol vehicle. Yavapai County deputies then used their vehicles to box in the car, preventing the suspect from driving away.Police said there was then an explosion inside the suspect’s car, which was quickly engulfed in flames. Police said the suspect had used a blowtorch to light a propane tank. Several other tanks then ignited as the fire spread and one patrol vehicle also caught fire in the incident.The suspect ended up crawling away from the flames and deputies were able to take him into custody, the sheriff’s office said.AZ Family
named the suspect as 70-year-old James Crespo, who they reported was wanted for a felony warrant out of Maricopa County for weapons misconduct.This footage was filmed by Victoria Garnica. In it, smoking debris from the explosions can be seen landing atop a police car. Credit: Victoria Garnica via Storyful