Man arrested for setting his truck on fire after it became stuck in mud

A Texas man was arrested on Wednesday for arson of a vehicle after he allegedly set his own truck on fire after it became stuck in the mud in a farmer’s field.

Jack Austin, 49, was driving his Ford Ranger through a field in Downsville in the early morning hours of May 19 when it became stuck, said McLennan County Sheriff’s Detective Joseph Scaramucci. Austin then left on foot and stole a backhoe from a construction store down the road, Scaramucci said.



He reportedly drove the backhoe down to get his truck, cutting a fence and then the backhoe got stuck in the mud. Austin walked back over to the truck, covered it in gas and set it on fire, according to Scaramucci. He reportedly told officers he was high on methamphetamine at the time of the incident.

“It’s not illegal to light your own truck on fire, but it is illegal light your truck on fire on someone else’s property,” Scaramucci said. “Especially if you’re reckless about whether or not it will cause damage to someone else’s property.” Austin was arrested and later released from McLennan County Jail on a $75,000 bond. Scaramucci said additional charges may be filed, pending further investigation.