Caught On Camera: Arsonist Torches Hialeah Truck
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
HIALEAH (CBSMiami) - A Hialeah arsonist was caught on camera torching a truck in front of a home.
It happened Sunday night around 11:30 p.m. The incident was captured on the victim's camera.
On the home's security video, a man can been casually walking up to a 2003 Chevy pick up parked in front of the home at 470 E 51st Street. He then lifts a container filled with liquid and pours onto where the hood meets the bottom of the windshield so that it drains into the engine compartment.
The man then backs away from the truck, pouring the remaining contents on the ground - creating a fuse of sorts. He then lights the fuse from a safe distance. The fire travels back to the truck and the engine erupts in flames.
CLICK HERE to watch Lauren Pastrana's report
A second security camera captured the man getting into a waiting van which then sped off.
"This is an arson. This is a felony, Lucky no one got hurt," said Hialeah Police spokesperson Lt. Carl Zogby.
Hialeah police said this is not the first time something like this has happened. They said on August 10th, 2014 a Mercedes Benz parked in front of the home also went up in flames. The cause of that fire, however, remains a mystery.
Investigators believe the victim was clearly targeted but he told CBS4 that he has no known enemies.
"We really don't think this is a random act of vandalism. No, this type of vandalism, this type of arson, where the person went through the trouble of bringing a propellant, like I said probably gasoline in a can, getting somebody to drive him there, getting off and really, really trying to destroy the car. This is somebody who really wanted to get at the victim," Zogby said.
Anyone that recognizes the man on the video is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
