SANTA MONICA—The Santa Monica Police Department is asking the public to be on the lookout for an arson suspect who set several vehicles on fire. On September 10 at around 10:40 p.m., the SMPD and SMFD responded to the BMW dealership located near 12th Street and Santa Monica Boulevard where multiple vehicles were on fire. Authorities arrived on the scene 10 minutes after the fires had been reported.
According to a press release from the SMPD, several witnesses noticed a subject pouring gasoline onto cars and throwing a lighter onto the vehicles. The suspect is described as a Black male, standing 5 feet and 6 inches tall to 5 feet and 10 inches tall, with a medium build and was seen wearing a large black winter coat.
Sergeant Rudy Camarena indicated in an email to Canyon News that authorities arrested a suspect in the morning on September 11, but he was later released as evidence indicated he was not the guilty party. Four certified used vehicles were completely destroyed and another vehicle was partially damaged, noted Sgt. Camarena.
The business lost a total of $250,000 in damages from the fires to the vehicles. No homes or residences were in danger as the incident occurred near a commercial area. Sgt. Camarena added that the arson investigator stated the suspect used “ignitable liquid and open flame.”
Surveillance video captured the suspect purchasing $4.00 worth of gas which was poured into a red gas can at 10:21 p.m. at the gas station located on the 1300 block of Santa Monica Blvd.
Any with any information on the incident or the suspect should call Detective D’Andrea at (310) 458-2201 ext: 6679 robert.dandrea@smgov.net, Sergeant William Heric (310) 458-8453 or the SMPD Watch Commander (24 hours a day) (310) 458-8427.
