38-year-old St. Arrested for allegedly setting multiple fires in St. Paul

St. A man who reportedly started multiple fires in St. Paul is in jail.

Vinai Hang, 38, faces up to approximately 11 years in prison for second-degree arson and fourth-degree assault on a peace officer, court documents say.

The charges arose around 8:50 p.m. Tuesday when a 2009 Honda Civic crashed into a St. Louis area near 7th Street and Payne Boulevard. It was done after he was seen burning by a St. Paul police sergeant.

Hang, who was accused hours earlier of arsonizing an $800 portable bathroom, had recently called 911 twice on Tuesday; The last of these was near 7th Street and Parne Boulevard at 8:33 p.m.

So officers began searching for Hang and later took him to St. He was found lying on the ground outside the front door of the Department of Human Services building in St. Paul.

State officers noticed a spray can of oven cleaner and a clip-on lighter on Hang, according to court documents. When they approached him, officers said Hang caught the spray, they tried to take it from Hang but were unsuccessful.

Hang reportedly kicked the officer who tried to take the box and sprayed him with cleaner. Officers pepper sprayed Hang and ordered him to drop the can, but Hang reportedly refused to do so.

It was only after the officers put on a gas mask that Hang dropped the canister and was arrested.

Officers said when they approached Hang, he was surrounded by several items of clothing, including five lighters, an empty gas canister, two flashlights, a cell phone and the aforementioned oven cleaning spray.