By Jon Johnson
GRAHAM COUNTY — A Prescott Valley man faces arson and reckless burning charges after deputies say he set fire to his own vehicle on a remote dirt road southeast of Safford late Saturday night, then walked away while reportedly threatening to douse himself with gasoline and light himself on fire.
Christopher Glowacki, 59, was taken into custody around 10:38 p.m. on April 4, near Hackberry Ranch Road, northwest of the Hot Well Dunes Recreation area.
Deputies were dispatched shortly after 9:30 p.m. following a report of a vehicle fire. A ranch employee told his boss he had seen a man standing near a white car with burning tires. The employee said he asked the man if he was okay; the man replied that his car was on fire and he was on the phone with 911. The employee also spotted a red gas can in the roadway, but said he didn’t see the man actually light the fire and felt uneasy enough to leave the area.
While en route, dispatchers relayed that Greenlee County authorities were speaking with the vehicle’s registered owner. The man on the line said he had spoken with a rancher, was leaving on foot, and that his vehicle was now fully engulfed. He reportedly told dispatchers he planned to pour gasoline on himself and set himself ablaze. He also appeared confused, unable to recall the date, his name, or his location.
A deputy located Glowacki about 300 yards from the burning car. Due to the ongoing fire, reports of suicidal threats, and uncertainty about the man’s mental state or possible weapons, deputies ordered him to the ground and took him into custody without further incident.
The white Volvo sedan was fully engulfed when deputies arrived, with flames visible from a half-mile away and at least one explosion reported. A one-gallon red gas can — lid off and tipped over — was found nearby, along with its black nozzle and cap, a pack of cigarettes, and several burned cigarette butts. Brush on the west side of the dirt road had also caught fire before Safford Fire Department crews knocked it down.
Glowacki, described as wearing a black jacket and shorts, told deputies he didn’t remember what happened to his car and had no explanation when shown photos of the scene. He acknowledged drinking Twisted Tea earlier and watching the car burn, but claimed memory loss on most details. He confirmed the vehicle was his 2020 Volvo S60 and said he had been traveling and staying in Airbnbs. Deputies noted a strong odor of alcohol, bloodshot and watery eyes, and slurred speech.
When asked about the suicidal statements made to dispatch, Glowacki said he didn’t remember them but told deputies he did not want to harm himself at that time. He was advised of his Miranda rights before questioning.
A tow truck from Nuttall’s Towing removed the burned Volvo, which was later confirmed to be registered to Glowacki through its VIN. Evidence, including the gas can (which still contained a small amount of fuel), was collected and secured.
Glowacki was transported to the Graham County Jail and booked on charges of arson and reckless burning.
