Man Tries To Start Cop Car On Fire: Police

ELGIN, IL — A 58-year-old Elgin man faces arson charges after he attempted to set a police car on fire early Wednesday. David E. Bruce, of the 1-99 block of North Jane Drive in Elgin, was taken into custody at about 4:45 a.m. after authorities were called to the 400 block of South McClean Boulevard where Bruce used a fuel additive to start several items on fire, according to a news release from the Kane County State's Attorney's Office.

Elgin Police Department officers first at the scene extinguished the fire. When an officer approached Bruce to talk to him, he sprayed a flammable liquid in his face and eyes, prosecutors said. He then pulled a can of spray paint from his coat pocket and threw it at the officer, striking him in the shin.

A second officer arrived at the scene in a marked police car and ordered Bruce to get on the ground, according to the news release. Bruce refused, approached the police car, sprayed the flammable liquid on the hood and attempted to set it on fire.

Bruce was taken into custody and the officer who was sprayed with the flammable liquid was taken to a hospital, treated and released, authorities said. Bruce has been charged with aggravated arson, a class x felony; aggravated battery, a class 2 felony; aggravated assault of a peace officer, a class 4 felony; and criminal damage to property, a class 4 felony.