A Hudson man was arrested early Thursday morning for allegedly targeting a deputy and his family at their home.

Investigators say 30-year-old Daniel Hall told them this was his plan to go back to jail.

Investigators say that at 2 a.m. Thursday, Hall was causing problems at his own home in Hudson.

"His sister says to him, 'You need to calm down, get out of here,' and he says 'OK I’m leaving, I’m going out to get arrested,' " Sheriff Chris Nocco said.

Detectives say Hall then walked down the street trying to break into cars, which is when stumbled upon Deputy Ryan Lennox’s home by spotting his cruiser.

Investigators say Hall put his prints on the car on purpose and then tried to light the deputy’s front patio furniture on fire.

"His sprinkler system had been on, and all his cushions all his furniture on his patio were wet," Nocco said, noting Hall was only able to start a small fire as a result.

Hall then knocked on Deputy Lennox’s door. Lennox answered.

“He cracks it open with the gun behind him and he says, 'What do you want?' and the guy says 'I just wanted to let you know there is a fire right here,' and he starts patting out the fire," said Sheriff Nocco.

Lennox told Sheriff Nocco he feared the incident was an ambush. Fortunately it wasn’t.

We went to Hall’s home, but his family didn’t want to talk. However his neighbor Charles Nicholson gave us some insight.

“I know he has a lot of mental disabilities, mental problems," said Nicholson.

Nicholson suggested that Hall may have wanted to go back to jail for the structure it provided.

“I think he just wanted that structure,” said Nicholson. “In a facility, I think he's got structure and he can be handled better."

Nicholson said he’s just glad Hall is alive because Sheriff Nocco had a message for people like Hall.

“If you try to harm one of us we will deal with you," he said. "If you try to break into one of our houses, we will use any force necessary to stop you and drop you in your tracks."

The sheriff’s office says Hall has had numerous arrests for burglary. His new charges include burglary and arson of an occupied dwelling.

The past two weeks have been rough for Deputy Lennox. Just last week a suspect in another incident tried to hit him with his car. Nocco says the deputy’s family is feeling a lot of anxiety right now.