A man accused of setting a Buddhist temple on fire earlier this month nearly ran down a Florida police officer while trying to flee the scene, kicking off a multi-county pursuit.
The incident happened shortly after 9:30 p.m. May 2 when Sanford police responded to a call about an individual trying to light the Wat Navaram Buddhist Temple on fire, WKMG-TV reports. In body camera footage released this week, an alarm can be heard as police approach the temple.
At the scene, police saw a man, later identified as Singhasouk Danny Phanouvong, getting into a vehicle. An officer ordered Phanouvong to stop, but the suspect drove off, nearly running down the officer.
A chase ensued, and Phanouvong was finally apprehended in St. Johns County. He is charged with first-degree arson, burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, resisting an officer with violence and other counts.
