West View man charged with igniting Ross ATM as anti-government act

A West View man turned himself in connection with the firebombing of an ATM in Ross early Wednesday, telling police he wanted to make a “statement” against the federal government.

Keith J. Coyne, Jr., 46, is charged with arson and criminal mischief.

Police say Coyne confessed to lighting a Chase Bank ATM on fire just after midnight in a bank parking lot at McKnight and Siebert roads.

The ATM suffered heavy fire damage, according to a criminal complaint.

A red gasoline can with an expletive with a signature written on it was found at the scene, which police said Coyne admitted was his.

Police said video footage provided by the bank showed a bald, white man wearing shorts, a blue shirt, brown work boots and a dog-tag necklace pour liquid from the gas can onto the top and front of the ATM and on the ground in front of it.

The man then lit the liquid, causing what the complaint described as a fireball.

Coyne turned himself in to Ross police Wednesday around 5:45 p.m.

He said he chose Chase Bank because it was close to his house and because the fire department was a short distance away, police said. Coyne also told police he did not want to hurt anyone.

During an interview with police, Coyne said he wanted to make an anti-government statement with his actions, according to the complaint.

Police said he acknowledged writing the words on the gas can.