Prosecutors: Suspect in Berkeley Twp. arson wanted cops to kill him

Authorities say a man purposely set his car on fire at a New Jersey business so police officers would respond there and kill him during a confrontation.

Ocean County prosecutors say 26-year-old Thomas Foti, of Toms River, is charged with aggravated arson. His bail was set at $150,000 cash, and he was taken to a hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.

The fire at a Berkeley Township business was reported around midnight Thursday. Witnesses told officers that a man told them he set the fire, then fled the scene on foot.

A man who fit the description provided by witnesses was soon located at another business. The man had a pointed shard from a flower pot he had broken, but they were able to subdue him without incident.