Customers at a Gladeview Exxon bolted for safety Thursday morning after deputies say a woman tried to set fuel nozzles on fire, turning a routine stop for gas into a fast-moving scare and drawing a heavy law-enforcement response. The incident comes as Miami-Dade officials and neighbors are already on edge over a string of arson-related cases around the county.
Deputies identified the suspect as 48-year-old Natasha Kim Johnson and booked her on one count each of first-degree attempted arson, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to use, cocaine possession and trespassing after warning, according to WPLG Local 10. The episode unfolded around 11:15 a.m. at the Exxon at 1176 NW 79th St. in northwest Miami-Dade, where Johnson, listed in booking records as homeless, was reportedly armed with a knife, menaced customers and pulled multiple fuel nozzles from their pumps. Witnesses told deputies she initially ran off, only to circle back while officers were still talking to shaken patrons.
How This Fits Locally
Johnson’s arrest hit just weeks after another high-profile case in which a woman allegedly filled juice containers with gasoline and set a fire inside a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office lobby, drawing an intense response and multiple charges, according to attack on sheriff's office. Both incidents involved gasoline at or near public facilities, a pattern that has neighbors paying closer attention to what is happening around the pump.
Investigation and Booking
According to the arrest report, Johnson returned to the Exxon while deputies were still interviewing witnesses and was found holding a crack pipe. She allegedly tried to light it as deputies watched, at which point she was taken into custody without further incident, WPLG Local 10 reports. Authorities also told the outlet that Johnson had previously been warned to stay off the property. As of Friday, Local 10 noted she was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, with her bond listed as “to be set.”
Where To Find Case and Booking Info
Anyone trying to track Johnson’s case or confirm her custody status can use Miami-Dade’s inmate-lookup tools or the county jail roster. The county’s public guidance walks residents through how to search for detainees and pull up booking details, as outlined by Miami-Dade court resources. County information pages for the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center also list contact numbers and visiting rules for those who need them.
