Delco Sheriff Sgt. serving warrant burned with Molotov cocktail in Collingdale
COLLINGDALE, Pa. (WPVI) -- A man accused of setting a Delaware County sheriff's deputy on fire surrendered to authorities after an hour-long standoff in Collingdale.
The suspect has been identified as Jeremy Jones. He faces an array of charges including five counts of criminal attempted homicide.
Multiple combustibles, including what authorities believe to be Molotov cocktails, were found in the suspect's apartment.
It began around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday on the unit block of South McDade Boulevard.
Police were there to issue a warrant for a probation violation.
Neighbor Irene Winkle told Action News she was just coming home when the incident began.
"And when they knocked on the door, my neighbor threw some kind of fluid or something, but fire came up, and they had to put the fire - the police officer out. He was on fire. They were rolling him around and stomping him on the street. Next thing you know, they start pulling out, drawing their weapons," Irene Winkle said.
The deputy suffered second degree burns to his upper leg and foot. He was taken to Crozer Chester Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
The ATF spent the rest of the evening diffusing the other half-dozen homemade explosives.
"There's glass jars with what appears to be gasoline inside them with a lid and an accelerant type fuse, it would be a piece of rope or whatever, coming from the top," Collingdale Police Chief Robert Adams said.
Only Action News was there as Jones was hauled away into the police station.
"The guy is our neighbor. I know him very well. He's my friend," neighbor Levan Winkle said.
Levan Winkle says despite Jones' checkered past, this was out of character for his neighbor.
"I don't know what got into him, I don't know. He surrendered, and I thank God that he really surrendered," Levan Winkle said.
The sheriff's deputy is in stable condition. Action News is told his birthday is Thursday.
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