He got Caught Stealing Flamin’ Hot Cheetos so he Tried to Burn The Store Down @@kbellpd @stltoday

[The Core DJ's]

A man who was confronted by a gas station clerk for stealing a bag of Flamin' Hot Cheetos tried to burn down the business Sunday, police say.

Joshua Lee Crook, 33, was charged Monday with first-degree attempted arson, a felony, and three misdemeanors. His bail is $20,000, cash only. 

Just before 5 p.m. Sunday, Crook went into a gas station in the 3100 block of South Grand Boulevard and picked up a bag of the Cheetos, police say. The store manager, who alleges Crook had stolen from his store before, told Crook to put the bag down if he wasn't going to pay for it.

Crook put the Cheetos back and left. About a minute later, he walked back into the store, grabbed the bag again and started walking out of the store, police records say. The manager confronted him; Crook pushed the manager and punched him in the face, police say.

Outside, Crook grabbed a gas pump nozzle and threw it on the ground, police say. Gasoline began pooling on the lot, and Crook threw a lit cigarette to the ground. He tried, but failed, to start a fire, authorities say. There was no damage.

The misdemeanor charges are for third-degree assault, theft and trespassing.

Police released an unusual mug shot of Crook but did not immediately explain what is going on in the photo. It appears someone is trying to hold Crook still for the photo.

Crook lives in the 5800 block of Southwest Avenue.