Man accused of kidnapping woman, pouring gas on Charlotte County camper

A suspect was arrested in connection with an attempted murder Monday night on Cook Brown Road, according to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.

Joshua Tanner, 43, of Alva, faces the charges of attempted murder, kidnapping and fleeing to elude. Bail has not been set.

Deputies responded around 11 p.m. to a domestic disturbance on the 41000 block of Cook Brown Road after receiving a call from a woman about a man –later identified as Tanner– attempting to break into her camper.

Tanner allegedly hooked up the camper to his truck and towed it away from the original spot, before pouring liquid on the camper, according to the victim. The victim said the liquid smelled like gasoline and she saw flames out her back window.

Tanner left the scene in a black Ford Escape and later fled on foot, but was caught by the K-9 team, according to deputies. Deputies later found a ring of gasoline around the camper with a burnt stick near the gasoline circle as well as newly emptied gas containers.