Sacramento man arrested after attempting to set employer on fire in Placer County

A Sacramento man was arrested in Placer County on Friday after deputies said he poured gasoline on a man with intent to light him on fire, according to the Placer County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies said 44-year-old Robert Weathers, a transient and registered sex offender, was hired to do yard work at a home in Newcastle on Friday when he began to pour gasoline on the home, garage and another victim’s truck, according to a news release from the department.

When the homeowner attempted to confront Weathers, deputies said he threw gasoline at the homeowner and ran after attempting to light the gasoline trail on fire.

Deputies shut down a portion of the Newcastle neighborhood to search for Weathers, the release said. A perimeter was established around Tierra Del Lago Place and Hector Road, but both K-9s and deputies lost track of Weathers.

Later Friday, deputies found Weathers walking near Auburn-Folsom road near Placer Canyon, where he was arrested and taken to South Placer Jail.

Jail records indicate Weathers is being held on suspicion of arson, threatening a crime with intention of great bodily injury, attempted unauthorized use of a vehicle and assault with caustic chemicals. His bail is set at $300,000.