Westminster police were looking for a 15-year-old boy Tuesday night who allegedly locked his father in the basement of the family home and set the house on fire, said Investigator Stephanie Topkoff.
Devon Gray, a thin 6-feet-2 teenager last seen wearing a green T-shirt and jeans, was being sought on suspicion of attempted homicide and arson.
“He should be considered dangerous,” Topkoff said.
“He’s a good kid. He’s just got some issues to work out,” his uninjured father told KWGN-TV news (Channel 2), adding that the boy has bipolar disorder.
Police were called to the home in the 8000 block of Clay Drive about 3:30 p.m. to assist at a fire.
The Fire Department was able to extinguish the fire quickly, Topkoff said.
Police determined that the homeowner was in the basement when his son purportedly stared a fire on the staircase leading to the basement, then locked the basement door.
The father, whose name wasn’t released, managed to escape through a basement window and go next door to call 911, Topkoff said. He then returned to the house and rescued his three dogs, she said.
The youth fled the scene, and police were still looking for him Tuesday night.
Topkoff said anyone who has information about the boy is urged to contact police, but they shouldn’t try to detain him.
