Man arrested for arson, terroristic threatening

LITTLE ROCK, AR - A man was arrested for setting fire to a previously burned home Thursday. He reportedly told deputies, "Sorry about burning down what was left of the house but I didn't want it there no more!"

Pulaski County deputies were called to the house on Carrington Lane in Big Rock, just south of Little Rock, and made contact with the suspect, John Choate. According to the deputies, Choate was intoxicated and acting aggressively so he was handcuffed and put in a patrol car.

A neighbor told deputies that Choate came to his door with a rifle and threatened to shoot the man's dogs. Choate then left and set the house at the end of the street on fire, according to the neighbor.

While in the patrol car, Choate reportedly kicked the doors and glass, head-butted the roof, spit on a deputy and threatened to kill the deputy and his family. His actions were so aggressive that deputies say the roof and door of the car were damaged and Choate had to be subdued with pepper spray and shackled.

Choate has been charged with arson, two counts of battery, criminal mischief and seven counts of terroristic threatening.