DILLINGHAM, Alaska (AP) — Alaska State Troopers say a Dillingham teenager taken into custody started a fire in the back of a patrol car.
The youth's name was not released. He was flown to Anchorage.
The incident began at 12:30 p.m. Sunday when the 15-year-old boy stepped into the roadway in front of an officer on patrol.
When the trooper got out of his car to speak to the teen, the boy punched and spit on the officer.
The officer took the juvenile into custody. As he was driven to the Dillingham Police Department, the boy took a lighter from his pocket and set the back seat of the patrol car on fire.
Troopers say the officer removed the juvenile and put out the fire. Troopers described damage to the car as "moderate."