FENTON, Mo. — A man was charged with multiple crimes after police said he attacked an elderly family member with a box cutter and intentionally set a fire inside the family's home Monday.
Jason Jockish, 54, was charged with first-degree assault, armed criminal action and first-degree arson Tuesday, a day after the alleged attack.
According to Sergeant Tracy Panus with the St. Louis County Police Department, officers were called to a home on Aventine Drive just before 2 p.m. for a report of a house fire.
In charging documents, police said Jockish cut the family member in the face, throat and wrist with a box cutter. Police said he then pulled the stove away from the wall, cut the gas line and lit a piece of tissue paper on fire. He then left the victim on the floor and left the house with a bag of belongings.
The victim was able to get out of the house and onto the front porch, where a witness found him.
The victim was taken to the hospital, where he underwent surgery to treat his injuries.
Jockish was arrested at the home. During an interview, police said he told them he "did what God instructed (him) to do."
The Fenton Fire Department, St. Louis County Police Department, and the bomb and arson investigators are looking into the fire.
This story will be updated when more information becomes available.
