A 45-year-old St. Paul man is accused of setting fire to a squad car of an officer who lives at his housing complex.
Brian Liston is charged with second-degree arson and first-degree damage to property, both felonies, in connection to the June 8 incident, documents filed in Ramsey County show. According to the criminal complaint, St. Paul fire and police crews responded at 5:15 a.m. to 727 Front Avenue on the report of a vehicle fire. The vehicle was a St. Paul police squad car, used by an officer who lives and serves in the public housing complex.
The fire was extinguished when emergency responders arrived.
An investigation found the fire started on the exterior of the rear cargo area with gasoline on the rear windshield. The ignition source is believed to be an open flame. It was determined the fire was started by an intentional human act.