See Man Nearly Set Himself Ablaze While Shoving Flaming Jar in Bank Drop Box

A man's apparent plan to set a Colorado Springs bank on fire wasn't exactly brilliant in the first place. And when it went wrong, it went really wrong, as you can see by the crazy video below. On September 8, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department, firefighters from the city...

By Michael Roberts

September 30, 2015

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A man's apparent plan to set a Colorado Springs bank on fire wasn't exactly brilliant in the first place.

And when it went wrong, it went really wrong, as you can see by the crazy video below.

On September 8, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department, firefighters from the city were called to a Wells Fargo bank at 5495 North Academy Boulevard because of what's described as a "gas smell at the building."

They soon discovered that a jar filled with "suspected gasoline" had been placed in the bank's overnight drop box.

At that point, security footage from outside the building was reviewed — and what footage it is.

The dude in question, who arrived at the bank on a bicycle, can be seen lighting the jar on fire as he places it in the drop box — and the giant flames that result nearly engulf him.

The video doesn't offer an especially clear view of the man's features, but there may be other clues to his identity. "Based on the security video," the CSPD release notes, "it appears as if the suspect may have received burns from the incident."

If you have any information about this case, you're encouraged to contact the police department at 719-444-7000 or Pikes Peak Area Crime Stoppers at 719-634-STOP (7867). And now, marvel at the red-hot clip.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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