Alhambra Police Station Is Damaged as Man Ignites, Tosses Gasoline Can
The Alhambra police station sustained smoke and fire damage Friday when a man threw a lit can of gasoline into the building, authorities said. No serious injuries were reported.
William Klein, 35, of Alhambra, drove up to the station on Woodward Avenue about 9:30 p.m. and tossed a gallon can into the lobby, filling the building with smoke, said Alhambra Police Lt. Gene Shepherd. Officials said the carpeting in the lobby was destroyed.
A desk officer ran through flames in the lobby and apprehended Klein before he could escape in his truck, Shepherd said. Klein has had previous contact with Alhambra police, the lieutenant said. Authorities said they did not know of a motive for the incident.
Several police civilian employees suffered smoke inhalation and were taken to a nearby hospital, Shepherd said.
Jim Rawson, an officer at the Monterey Park jail, said he was notified about 10 p.m. by Alhambra officials that “they were having some problems in their jail, a lot of smoke and that they would be transporting a few of their prisoners to Monterey Park.”
Officials in Alhambra said misdemeanor prisoners were released and three felony prisoners were taken to Monterey Park.
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