Barricaded suspect at Novato gas station surrenders peacefully

NOVATO, Calif. (BCN) - After an hours long standoff, a man who tried to set a Novato gas station on fire surrendered peacefully Saturday afternoon, according to Novato police.

The incident began Saturday around 7 a.m. when police say a man entered the 76 gas station on Ignacio drive and poured gas up and down the aisles. He attempted to light the gas with a lighter, but the fuel did not ignite. 

Authorities later identified the suspect as Juan Roman, 40, of Novato.

Shortly after the failed attempt, Roman left the scene and stopped at a Safeway fueling station less than a mile away on Nave Drive. He then barricaded himself inside his vehicle, police said. Roman refused to talk on the phone with police and negotiators for hours until he finally surrendered. 

The nearby Safeway store was evacuated and closed, and a neighboring Marriott Hotel was under a shelter in place.

A motive for the fire was not immediately available. 

Roman was arrested and transported to Marin County jail on arson and vandalism charges.