Docs: Gas-guzzling burglary suspect ate residents' pizza, chips while rummaging through home

SEATTLE - Seattle Police arrested a 40-year-old man accused of breaking into a home while a teenage girl was inside, then chugging gasoline when officers tried to take him into custody.

On Aug. 18, officers were called by the teen’s father, who said she reported someone with a wooden stick was trying to break into their home. 

She hid in her parents' closet and called 911, whispering so the suspect couldn't hear her. 

Police arrived at the house near Fifth Ave SW and SW Elmgrove St. When they arrived, officers heard loud banging sounds inside the house.

Concerned for the safety of the girl inside, they breached the front door to search for her and the suspect.

They found the suspect locked in the homeowner's car in the garage drinking from a gasoline canister. Officers ordered him to open the door and come out, but the man is seen on body camera video ignoring them and continuing to chug gasoline.

Given the hazardous materials and threat to the suspect’s life, police shattered the window and pulled the man out. Seattle Fire Department was called to the scene to treat the suspect.

The was identified as 40-year-old Christopher Abbott. 

After securing the suspect, officers found the 17-year-old girl and escorted her out of the house.

In a statement, the father and homeowner said, in part: 

"I’d just like to thank SPD for their quick response and professionalism, my neighbors for directing the police when they arrived and most of all my daughter who did everything right by getting help coming and staying safe until help arrived. I’m sad that my daughter had to go through this, but her being home likely allowed the police to catch the intruder. I don’t even want to think about what could have happened if he entered our home undetected with that gas can."

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According to court documents, Abbott was seen on surveillance footage walking around neighbors' backyards carrying a ladder and a gas can.

He allegedly brought a wood plank with four nails in it into the home, according to court documents. The homeowner said that plank had been outside their house. Court documents say the ladder he was carrying was stolen from a neighbor's home. 

It doesn't appear that anything was taken from the home, but the homeowners reported that a pizza-- which was previously put in the refrigerator-- was out on a table and appeared to have been eaten. It also appears that a bag of chips was opened and consumed, according to court documents. 

Abbott was booked into King County Jail for residential burglary. Prosecutors asked that bail be set at $20,000