California Man Squirts Lighter Fluid on Restaurant Employees, Tries to Light Them on Fire: Police

A California man is behind bars after he allegedly squirted lighter fluid on two restaurant workers and attempted to set them on fire, according to authorities.

Around 2 p.m. on June 25, Robert Haight, 61, entered a restaurant in Thousand Oaks and allegedly threw lighter fluid on an employee before attempting to set the man on fire in an unprovoked attack, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.

Haight then allegedly grabbed a kitchen knife and started chasing the employee around the restaurant. The employee was able to flee through the back door, authorities said.

However, Haight followed the employee outside and into the rear parking lot, officials said.

That is when a second employee confronted Haight and tried to intervene. Haight then turned his attention to the second employee, allegedly squirting him with lighter fluid also, police said.

The second victim was able to defend himself and fight off Haight, according to authorities.

Deputies responded to the scene and Haight was taken into custody without incident. He was transported to a nearby hospital and treated for injuries he sustained during the alleged assault of the two victims, who were ages 28 and 51, officials said.

Haight was charged with one count of attempted murder, one count of assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of assault with a caustic chemical.

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He was booked into the Ventura County Jail and was being held on a $500,000 bond.

No motive was given for the attack and the incident is still under investigation.