Taser-wielding cops accidentally set naked man on fire during arrest

Police in Wisconsin accidentally set a man’s beard on fire after officers tasered a cigarette lighter during his arrest.

Travis Tingler, 33, was arrested after allegedly standing naked in the street and threatening to kill the occupants of a home on 25th Street in central Manitowoc, north of Milwaukee, Sunday.

“I told him he couldn’t be out in the middle of the street with no clothes on,” one of the officers wrote in the arrest report, according to the Times Herald Reporter. “I asked him about his condition. I noticed he had a dazed appearance, blank stare and he sweated profusely.”

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After handcuffing Tingler, police found a pair of trousers on the front lawn of the home and attempted to dress him.

Refusing to get into the police car, Tingler struggled with police who drew their stun guns. At some point, police say, Tingler picked up a cigarette lighter which, when struck by the taser, burst lighter fluid into the air, setting fire to his beard and chest hair.

A panicked Tingler then punched an officer, who was attempting to put out the fire, in the face. He was later hit with the taser again before falling and hitting his head on the pavement.

Officers later found a pocket knife on the porch of a nearby home.

An interview with a girl at the home revealed that Tingler was her mother’s boyfriend and had been living there for two years. He’d been drinking for up to three hours before throwing a glass into the street and taking off his clothes, the girl reportedly told police.

The suspect’s blood tests later returned positive results for marijuana and alcohol. He remains in custody.

Fox 11 News reported that the man had outstanding warrants for his arrest in Two Rivers, north of Manitowoc. Tingler has also been charged with battery to a police officer, disorderly conduct and lewd and lascivious behavior.