A Silverdale man accused of intentionally starting a gas pump on fire at the 76 gas station near downtown Port Orchard was taken into custody by the city’s police department.

Probable cause papers say the incident started with the 36-year-old suspect authorizing a purchase from a gas pump. He then allegedly used the pump to spray gas onto a pile of clothes next to the pump and doused the pump itself with fuel.

Richard Lott, an assistant manager of the station, told police he was alerted by some juveniles inside the building and went outside to see the suspect taking out a lighter. He asked the suspect what he was doing, to which he received the reply, “Retaliation.” He also reported the suspect stepping toward him in an aggressive manner before trying to start the fire again.

The suspect lit the clothing pile, setting it and the gas pump ablaze immediately before fleeing the scene. The fire damaged the pump before Lott hit the emergency shut-off button and was able to put it out using fire extinguishers.

Court documents state that an officer located a man walking “aimlessly” along Perry Avenue a short while after the call to police. The man denied being at the gas station, and he handed over a wallet with a picture that did not match the man. Believing the wallet to be stolen, the officer took it and promised it would be returned to its original owner. A screenshot of the man was shown to Lott, who identified him as the suspect. He was not relocated that day.

The officer later reported making an effort to return the wallet to its rightful owner and, in doing so, noticed the ID’d individual had prior bookings and accompanying photos. Those photos matched the description and prior photos approved by Lott.

The suspect was arrested April 21. Bail was set at $15,000 after he pled not guilty to the charge of second-degree arson.