Maryland Man Charged With Ore. Traffic Stop Fire
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. (AP) -- A Maryland man faces marijuana and arson charges after he allegedly tried to set fire to himself and his car during a traffic stop by Oregon State Police.
Troopers said Lester Kasten, 45, of Owings Mills, Md., doused himself and a rented sport utility vehicle with lighter fluid and ignited it after he was stopped late Tuesday night on U.S. 97 just north of Klamath Falls in southern Oregon.
Troopers removed Kasten before he sustained any serious injury and then extinguished the fire before Chiloquin Fire Department arrived to assist. Damage to the vehicle's interior was minor.
State police said a search led to the discovery of approximately 30 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $75,000 inside a suitcase in the vehicle.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
