Man uses torch lighter inside Watsonville elevator

A man was arrested for causing thousands of dollars worth of damage after using a torch lighter inside an elevator in Watsonville.

According to police, the incident happened at the parking garage on West Beach Street on Jan. 30.

James Thunder, 39, was caught on surveillance video using a torch lighter to burn a camera.

The Watsonville Police Department said Thunder also ripped out the wires of an electrical box, causing the elevator to malfunction.

On Feb. 1, investigators spotted Thunder riding a bike on Rodriguez Street and arrested him. Officers also recovered the torch lighter and a glass pipe.

Thunder was booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail.