San Diego

A Los Angeles man was in custody Sunday after a failed attempt to set fire to a police station, police said.

Steven Messer, 35, was being held in the downtown County Jail on suspicion of attempted arson, burglary, vandalism and battery on a police officer after the 4:15 p.m. incident, Sgt. Tim Smith said.

According to police, Officer Peter Zajda saw a man break the front ground-level window of an Eastern Division substation at 9265 Aero Drive and begin pouring gasoline inside, Smith said. The officer and the man wrestled, and the officer was eventually able to make an arrest, Smith said.

In addition to the gasoline, a cigarette lighter and directions to all San Diego police substations were taken from Messer after his arrest, Smith said.