SALINAS, Calif. -- Salinas police said a man tried to rob Bank of America with a home-made flame thrower at the Northridge Mall Thursday afternoon. Officers arrested 49-year old William Jones after a vehicle pursuit through Salinas.
Officers said Jones sprayed fire around the bank several times while people were running out of the building. Witnesses said flames were at least 4ft long.
Officers said an employee and customer chased the suspect out of the bank. Witnesses said they saw the man get into an aqua-colored Ford Ranger near FoodMaxx. Police began to follow the suspect and caught him at Virginia Rocca Barton School on Las Casitas Drive in Salinas when he tried to make a turn but ran into a fence by a creek.
Police said after the suspect crashed into the fence he fled on foot and jumped into Natividad Creek. Four officers were able to take Jones down after tasing him twice.
Officers said no cash was taken from Bank of America. A disabled girl in a wheelchair was the only person injured during the incident. One of her fingers broke after the door slammed on it.
Investigators said they believe the suspect was involved in five other armed robberies that happened between December 15 to December 27th. Jones was booked in the Monterey County Jail for several felony charges.
